EU urges Israel-Lebanon ceasefire compliance and backs Lebanese forces

The European Union said the United States-brokered ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel is a renewed opportunity to end the conflict and achieve lasting peace and security. In a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU, Brussels urged both sides to continue direct negotiations in a constructive spirit and to fully abide by the agreement.

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The EU said all military action should cease immediately. It called on all actors to reject any additional conditions from Hezbollah, said Hezbollah must withdraw from the South Litani Sector, and said Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territory.

The statement also demanded the full implementation of UNSCR 1701, which it said calls for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Israel and the disarmament of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. The EU said it will continue to support the Lebanese government and is ready to support implementation of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

It said the people of Lebanon and Israel have the right to live in peace and security in their homeplaces, free from the threat of renewed conflict. The statement said Lebanese civilians are paying a heavy and unacceptable humanitarian and socio-economic price from the continued escalation and airstrikes.

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Brussels said support to the Lebanese Armed Forces remains a decisive tool accompanying Lebanese government efforts to ensure a state monopoly over arms across the whole territory. It said a new European Peace Facility assistance measure of EUR 100 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces was adopted on 4 June and will directly support reinforcement of their capacities to fulfil that endeavour.

The EU also reaffirmed full support for UNIFIL and its mandate, and strongly condemned attacks against its personnel. It cited the killing of another UNIFIL soldier in the attacks of 4 June, saying he was the seventh peacekeeper to die since March.

The statement said the killing of peacekeepers is a violation of international law and must be met with full accountability, and it called a continued UN presence in Lebanon essential to ensure implementation of UNSCR 1701.

#Hezbollah #LebaneseArmedForces #UNIFIL #UNSCR1701 #SouthLitaniSector

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