The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, hopes that Lebanon is not “entangled in a regional conflict” despite hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in the south of the country. “It is absolutely necessary to avoid regional escalation in the Middle East, it is absolutely necessary to prevent Lebanon from being drawn into a regional conflict,” Borrell said while speaking to his Lebanese counterpart in Beirut. “I send the same message to Israel: no one will emerge victorious from a regional conflict,” he added.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the head of the Unifil mission, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, during his visit to Lebanon. “The situation in southern Lebanon, the impact of the war in Gaza and the situation in Syria were the focus of discussions with Prime Minister Najib Mikati,” Borrell wrote in X, adding: “We agreed to work together through diplomacy to achieve de-escalation .” and long-term stability, which is in everyone’s interest.” He also wrote that he “was informed by Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, head of the Unifil mission, about the current risks of escalation along the Blue Line.” Borrell “reiterated the EU's strong support for the UN mission, which plays a crucial role in preventing and containing escalation,” and praised Unifil's commitment.