EU Ambassador says $1 bn donation to benefit Lebanese ‘not only Syrians’

EU Ambassador says $1 bn donation to benefit Lebanese ‘not only Syrians’

Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon Sandra De Waele has called for a diplomatic settlement in southern Lebanon, as "Lebanon cannot afford to be dragged further" into war.

On the occasion of Europe Day Thursday, De Waele said that over the past few months, the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon has followed closely the dramatic circumstances unfolding in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and has used every diplomatic channel to call for an end to the hostilities and to the human suffering.

"Lebanon has been at the frontline of this war since October 8," De Waele said, as she called for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties.

"We must continue to work towards a de-escalation of the conflict and a diplomatic settlement in the South," De Waele said.

"The war in the South has only worsened an already fragile situation in Lebanon. Little progress has been made to put Lebanon on the path of economic recovery. The decision making process remains blocked, in the absence of a President of the Republic and a fully-functioning government," she added.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had visited Beirut last week to announce a package of 1