The European Union has expressed concern about the escalation of violence in Lebanon, in addition to the continued attacks in the Gaza Strip. At least three people have been killed between Saturday night and Sunday morning in the towns of Aitaroun, Khiyam and Al Malikiyah.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said on Sunday that “a ceasefire is urgent” both in the demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, known as the Blue Line, and in Gaza, following the escalation of violence in the region, an issue that will focus on his agenda next week at the United Nations General Assembly.
“The European Union is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Lebanon following Friday’s attacks in Beirut and by the increase in cross-border violence between Israel and Hezbollah,” the head of European diplomacy said in a statement.
The EU once again called for “the full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701,” adopted in 2006 and calling for a permanent ceasefire.
At least three people have died between Saturday night and Sunday morning in the towns of Aitaroun, Khiyam and Al Malikiyah, where at least four people were also injured, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported.
The Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah has also stepped up its launching of drones and rockets into northern Israel.
“Civilians on both sides are paying a heavy price,” Borrell said, adding that “they will also be the ones who will suffer most once again in an open war that must be avoided, including through renewed and intensive diplomatic mediation efforts.”
The High Representative will travel to New York this Sunday, 22nd, where he will participate in several high-level multilateral events next week, including one with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to represent the EU at a trilateral meeting with the African Union and the United Nations.
The President of the European Council and the High Representative and Vice-President, accompanied by Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, will then meet with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and in the afternoon, will co-host a ministerial dinner on the Middle East, together with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdelrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
With information from EFE agency
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