A collapsed bridge in Rmeyleh near Saida in July 2006, during the war with Israel. (Credit: Ahmad Mantache)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Business Leaders’ Association (RDCL) warned in a statement on Friday of "catastrophic" consequences that could happen if a war with Israel erupts.
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel are ongoing along the southern border amid the Israel-Hamas war, which started after the latter launched Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood” on Oct. 7 against Israel.
"In view of the recent ongoing war ... RDCL is extremely worried and wholeheartedly echoes the sentiments of the Lebanese private sector, that overwhelmingly desires not to involve Lebanon in any war," said the association's statement.
RDCL recalled that Lebanon is already facing a deep economic crisis which means that a war will "only exacerbate our current abysmal challenges."
The World Bank classified the Lebanese crisis, which started in 2019, as one of the 10 worst economic crises globally since the 19th century.
The association said that war would lead to depreciation of the Lebanese Lira and that "more sections of society will fall all into the trap decimating purchasing power."
"This will also result in public services fading away and leading to the collapse of the state as a whole, reaching the level of a failed state as we never knew," the statement continued.
Back in 2006, a war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel for 34 days killing around 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israeli, mostly soldiers.