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High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell meets Lebanese Foreign Minister Bou Habib in Brussels

European External Action Service (EEAS)

24.11.2023
EEAS Press Team

On 24 November, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, met with Foreign minister of Lebanon Abdallah Bou Habib in Brussels.

The discussion focused on the regional consequences of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the need to avoid any wider spill-over. The HR/VP informed his counterpart about the diplomatic efforts of the EU - including his recent visit to the region - with the aim to contribute to a de-escalation and sustainable solution to the conflict. The parties concurred on the necessity by all actors to protect civilians, and exercise the utmost restraint to avoid any further escalation.

HR/VP Borrell deplored the loss of innocent lives and large number of displacement of civilians around the Lebanese-Israeli border. He reiterated that the stability and security of Lebanon are essential for the EU, and called for the full respect of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions by all sides. The HR/VP stressed also the urgency to preserve Lebanon's policy of disassociation from regional conflicts and repeated the call on all actors in Lebanon to refrain from actions, that contribute to escalation and spill over of the hostilities and have negative repercussions on the Lebanese people. Regarding the future of the region, HRVP Borrell commended the role of Lebanon in the collective efforts to reach peace.

HR/VP Borrell and Foreign Minister Bou Habib agreed that the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), to which many EU Member States contribute troops, plays an essential role in maintaining stability and security, and commended the continued valuable cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in this respect. Current EU cooperation efforts and perspectives to support the LAF, notably under the European Peace Facility, were also addressed.

The HR/VP reiterated the EU's call on Lebanese decision makers to redouble efforts to address the protracted domestic institutional and economic crises.