US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the escalation in Lebanon with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, while the latter sent a message to the Lebanese confirming that “war is not inevitable,” at a time when members of the Security Council warned of the danger of war breaking out.
The US State Department said that Blinken and Macron discussed the need to de-escalate in Lebanon and commit to a diplomatic solution that allows the return of residents, and they also discussed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, during the US Secretary of State’s visit to Paris.
She said that Blinken also discussed with his French counterpart, Stephane Sigourney, the urgent need to calm tensions in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East, while Sigourney considered that “Lebanon will not recover from a comprehensive war.”
Libanaises, Libanais, they are here.
In the confusion, in the grief, the espoir is a rare den. There is confusion, in this world, France is where you are. pic.twitter.com/r2uIbnzItU
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 19, 2024
A word to the Lebanese
For his part, the French President sent a direct message to the Lebanese via a video clip posted on social media, assuring them that “the diplomatic path exists” and that “war is not inevitable.”
“No one has an interest in escalation,” Macron said, as fears of a full-scale war mounted after bombings that Hezbollah blamed on Israel targeted communications devices used by its members.
He added: “Nothing, no regional adventure, no private interest, no loyalty to any cause, whatsoever, is worth provoking a conflict in Lebanon,” stressing that France stands with the Lebanese.
He said Lebanese political leaders must work to prevent war, saying: “You need at this moment more than ever a president to lead the country in the face of threats,” in light of the presidential vacancy that has continued for two years due to political differences.
On Thursday, Macron called Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun, and also spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on all parties to avoid war.
UN warnings
In a related context, members of the UN Security Council warned of the danger of a regional war in the wake of developments in Lebanon and the deterioration of the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“We should not get used to the pain in the region,” said US Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Robert Wood, noting that a ceasefire in Gaza is the best option to ensure regional stability.
Algeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amar Benjamaa, called for decisive and rapid action, “not just speeches,” to end the escalation in the region.
While Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, wondered why the West had not yet expressed its concerns about attempts to erase the Palestinian identity, also pointing out that the attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday in Lebanon were a major violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
