EU ambassadors meet Lebanon's leaders, reaffirm support and push for reforms
During the meetings, the ambassadors reaffirmed the EU's ongoing support for Lebanon, including in the areas affected by recent hostilities.
Current funding in these regions amounts to over $600 million, nearly half of the EU's total engagement in Lebanon, which exceeds $1 billion.
Beyond humanitarian aid, most of the funding supports key sectors, including education, healthcare, social protection, water and sanitation, and agriculture. It also contributes to economic recovery through job creation and support for the private sector.
Additional funding, not included in the $600 million, helps address the impact of the conflict on Lebanon's stability. This includes support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south, the removal of rubble and unexploded ordnance, and enhanced border management.
The ambassadors highlighted the role of UNIFIL in maintaining security in the south and stressed the need for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, including the state's exclusive control of weapons and adherence to the ceasefire agreement.
They also urged Lebanon's Parliament to approve a Bank Resolution Law that meets international standards and called on the country's government to adopt a transparent and fair strategy for distributing financial sector losses (the so-called "GAP Law").
The ambassadors concluded by reiterating their support for Lebanon and their readiness to continue assisting the country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
EU welcomes Israel-Syria ceasefire, urges protection of civilians
The EU on Saturday welcomed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Syria and Israel, saying it was "appalled" by the deadly sectarian violence in Syria's southern Druze heartland that prompted Israeli strikes. "Now is the time for dialogue and for advancing a truly inclusive transition. Syria's transitional authorities, together with local authorities, bear the responsibility to protect all Syrians without distinction," the European Union's diplomatic service said in a statement. It also called for all perpetrators behind "grave violations" of international law to be held accountable. AFP
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
FPM leader Bassil: Decentralization is key to reforming the state, and there is no longer any impediment for the return of refugees to Syria
The head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, stated that administrative decentralization is the foundation of the Taif Agreement and a key to reforming the state, stressing that it remains hostage to a centralized system that fears losing control over citizens' affairs. Speaking at a conference, Bassil said decentralization strengthens state unity and has nothing to do with partition or federalism. "If we genuinely want balanced development, there's no reason to fear decentralization," he added. On the topic of municipal and mukhtar elections, Bassil said: "We encouraged consensus and created a positive atmosphere. Municipalities are not meant for political battles, and we had a clear presence." On the issue of displacement, Bassil stressed that Lebanon is a country that embraces all cultures and nationalities, pointing out at the same time that Syrian displacement and Palestinian refugees are two facets of resettlement, which is contrary to the constitution. "We cannot rely on a centralized plan regarding Syrian displacement, and municipalities have broad powers in this field," he said. He emphasized that there is no longer any impediment to the return of refugees to Syria, noting that illegal immigration is changing Lebanon's identity.
Nahar Net
6 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Qassem says to talk 'defense strategy' after 'existential threat' ends
by Naharnet Newsdesk 19 July 2025, 12:51 Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that his group senses the presence of an 'existential threat,' citing Israel's 'genocidal war' in Gaza, its attacks on Syria and Iran, the new Islamist rulers in Damascus, and the sectarian massacres in Syria. 'There is an existential threat to the resistance, the resistance's environment and the resistance's supporters, as well as an existential threat to Lebanon with all its sects,' Qassem said in a televised speech commemorating slain Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki. 'Today, if a decision is taken, (Syria-based extremist Sunni fighters) do not need a long time to come through eastern Lebanon to Lebanon to carry out extraordinary attacks. Today we are before a real Israeli threat and a threat from Israel's proxies that can be used one way or another,' Qassem warned. He added that Hezbollah is ready to 'defend' against any new Israeli attack on Lebanon. 'If we defend and incur major losses, and this is expected if we defend, we would have hope that confrontation might enable us to block them and open a door to solutions and liberation,' Qassem said. Addressing those in Lebanon calling for Hezbollah's disarmament, Qassem said: 'Be confident that after we eliminate this threat, and after the needed is achieved, we will be willing to discuss the national security strategy and the defense strategy and to achieve results that serve Lebanon's strength and Lebanon's continuity.' 'I call on you not to offer a service to Israel. Together we can be stronger and through confrontation America cannot achieve its goals,' he added. 'We are ready for confrontation to achieve one of two good things: victory or martyrdom. We do not have surrender. We will not submit to Israel and Israel will not be handed over the weapons by us,' Qassem went on to say. He added: 'We are ready for any action that leads to Lebanese understandings, Lebanese capability and Lebanese strength. But we will not give this under any form of threats … Let no one think of such a course.' 'We know that confrontation would be very costly, but surrender would leave us with nothing,' Qassem said. Noting that Hezbollah would not initiate any attack on Israel but would rather 'defend if Israel attacks,' the Hezbollah leader called on everyone 'not to bet on an inter-Shiite rift' between Hezbollah and Speaker Nabih Berri, nor on a dispute among President Joseph Aoun, Berri and PM Nawaf Salam. Aoun, Berri and Salam are 'cooperating' and 'have enough wisdom and awareness and recognition of threats and reality in order to pull the country out of its crisis in a proper way,' Qassem added.
