The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has urged Israel to show restraint ahead of its imminent ground incursion into Lebanon, and has warned that any new "military intervention would dramatically worsen the situation" in the area.
"It is necessary to guarantee the sovereignty" of both countries, Borrell emphasized in statements made on Monday afternoon after an urgent and extraordinary meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers, held via video conference from Mexico.
The head of European diplomacy traveled to the North American country to attend the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, an event that no representative from Spain will attend after the Mexican government refused to invite King Felipe VI and the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who decided not to attend due to this "unacceptable" exclusion.
"Once again, I urge respect for international humanitarian law. Weapons must be silenced, and the voice of diplomacy must be raised so that it is heard by everyone," Borrell insisted, emphasizing that the EU calls for "the full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701." This measure was approved in 2006 and "demands a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah."
Both the meeting convened by Borrell and his statements have come after sources from Israel, as well as officials from the United States government, acknowledged that the incursion into Lebanon was "imminent." The action, as reported by The Washington Post, would be limited. "The plans are in line with the Americans. The understanding is that we will not have another Gaza," they add.
Meanwhile, President of the United States, Joe Biden, has also expressed opposition to any kind of military incursion into Lebanon. "I am more aware than you think, and I agree that they should stop. We should have a ceasefire now," he responded to questions from journalists, as reported by AFP.