Attacks on UNIFIL mission in Lebanon: Speech on behalf of EU HR Borrell at the EP plenary

I would like to thank the European Parliament, also on behalf of High Representative [and Vice-President of the Commission, Josep] Borrell, for convening this session.

Lebanon is a fragile country gravely weakened by multiple crises, and at the risk of being further destabilised by Israeli operations which would also have wider repercussions on the region and beyond.  

The civilian population of Lebanon is paying the highest price. The country is facing the most devastating conflict in a generation, with almost 2,500 people dead; 1 in 5 Lebanese displaced – and with 43% of the displaced being children.  

The lack of space in shelters, disrupted education, numerous attacks on healthcare facilities, increasing number of deaths among health and other relief workers, and the high risk of disease outbreak, are only some of the elements underlying the need for the immediate de-escalation of this conflict and the ceasefire.  

[The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s] (UNIFIL) stabilisation role is essential for Lebanon and for Israel, and this role will become even more critical in the perspective of a ceasefire.

It is the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council to define the mandate of UNIFIL. According to UNSC resolution 1701, UNIFIL is supposed to be the only armed force, together with the Lebanese Armed Forces, to be deployed in the South of Lebanon.

The cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has been remarkable so far. 

The European Union is committed to further empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces and to facilitating their cooperation with UNIFIL. To this aim, the Council of the European Union has recently approved a new assistance measurefor the Lebanese Armed forces worth €15 million, under the European Peace Facility.

The Lebanese Armed Forces play a key role in guaranteeing Lebanon’s national security, stability, and sovereignty – and this is also in the interest of Israel’s security.

The European Union is equally committed to scaling up our humanitarian engagement in Lebanon. Humanitarian needs in Lebanon are huge and increasing by day. There is an imminent need for more humanitarian funding.  

For this reason, the European Union allocated an extra €10 million to Lebanon to address the most present needs of the conflict-affected populations, both injured and displaced – this includes the provision of health and shelter services. An additional €13 million for Lebanon are in the pipeline. This comes on top of the €64 million euros already allocated earlier this year. 

We have also activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to support the Lebanese health sector. A number of Member States have already offered medicines and medical equipment.

In addition, to support the most vulnerable and the displaced population in Lebanon, the [European] Commission has launched the Humanitarian Aid Bridge. So far, 3 flights delivered a total of 105 tons of the EU humanitarian stocks. More flights, with lifesaving assistance, are being scheduled.

Mobilisation of the humanitarian aid and support of the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL will be among the key objectives of the international conference in support of Lebanon that will be held in Paris this Thursday. The European Union welcomes this conference, where both High Representative Borrell and I will actively participate.

The European Union member states have always supported UNIFIL and will continue to do so. The fact that 16 EU Member States contribute troops to UNIFIL speaks for itself. High Representative Borrell visited the UNIFIL headquarters next to the southern border, during his last visitto Lebanon, to emphasise this European Union support.

UNIFIL’s brave decision to remain in the field, in the face of threats against it, deserves our political support, recognition and respect – from all of us.

This is crucial for the credibility – and the security – of multilateral peacekeeping operations, but also for the morale of our troops in the field, so that they know that they have our full backing.

This point was made very strongly during the European Council last week and it is clearly reflected in its conclusions. The European Council condemned the attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against UNIFIL, which constitute a grave violation of international law, and must stop immediately.

The European Council also recalled that all actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property, and to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises at all times.

The European Council also recalled the need to ensure that civilians are protected at all times; that civilian infrastructure is not targeted, and that international law is respected.  

The recent incidents affecting the civilian population and UNIFIL only makes a ceasefire even more urgent.  

We hear the many voices and declarations within Lebanon now calling for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces along the Blue Line. The European Union supports these voices and is ready to continue playing its part. 

To ensure that a ceasefire is credible and efficient, a strong implementing and monitoring mechanism will be needed. As the European Union, we are confident that UNIFIL can play this important role. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/AV_I262609

Closing remarks 

Thank you, President, Honourable Members. I want to thank you for the debate we just held, and for the many views expressed.

Among them, there are two points that I want to refer to and offer some clarification, for the benefit of this House, as well as for the benefit of the European voters.  

First, an allegation was made, that European Union funds – European Union taxpayers’ money – went to Hamas. This is a very crude allegation, without any proof. I want to categorically reject it here. The sources of funding for Hamas are very well known, and they are not in the European Union.  

Second, calls were addressed to the Commission to stop arms exports to Israel. I wish to clarify that military cooperation between European Union Member States and third countries – including Israel – fall completely outside European Union competence. The Commission has zero competence in this matter. This issue would have to be reviewed at the national level. 

With these two clarifications, let me try to summarise on the basis of the discussion that we held a few key orientations for the way forward and possibly – just possibly – a way out of the crisis in Lebanon. 

First, attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately. 

Second, the Israel Defence Forces’ attacks against UNIFIL must also stop immediately.

Third, the European Union remains strongly committed to supporting UNIFIL. Its role will become even more important in the perspective of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel .

Fourth and last, the European Union reiterates, once again, its call for an immediate ceasefire. It actively supports international mediation efforts in this direction, and it is ready to bring its own contribution to make it possible at the earliest.  

Thank you.

Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-262611

Source – EEAS