At the UNSC, Lebanon reiterates: Negotiate with Israel for 'comprehensive truce,' Hezbollah an 'outlaw group'

BEIRUT — Lebanon has declared it is prepared to enter negotiations with Israel under international sponsorship to establish "a comprehensive truce," the country’s representative told the U.N. Security Council in New York on Wednesday, amid ongoing war in the country. During the meeting, convened at France’s initiative, Lebanon also labeled Hezbollah an “outlaw militia.”

“Lebanon finds itself caught in a war it did not choose, between Israel and Hezbollah,” said Ahmad Arafa. “On one side [Israel], a party that shows no respect for the laws of war and continues its attacks against Lebanon; on the other, a party who's military and security activities have been banned and deemed illegal by the Cabinet.”

"The Lebanese government has expressed its readiness to enter negotiations with Israel under international sponsorship in order to resolve all outstanding issues," he continued, with the initial objective of "establishing a comprehensive truce with the cessation of all Israeli attacks — by land, sea, and air — against Lebanon." On Monday, President Joseph Aoun had already recalled that Lebanon was prepared to conduct "direct negotiations" with Tel Aviv.

Beirut has "clearly expressed its rejection and condemnation of the rocket fire claimed by Hezbollah on March 2 ... and asserted that this operation conflicts with the principle that decisions of war and peace rest exclusively with the Lebanese state," Araf added.

"We cannot accept a return to the past. The Lebanese people do not want war, and the Lebanese government is moving forward with the implementation of its decisions," he continued. He also condemned "the Iranian attacks against the Gulf States, Jordan, and Syria."

'Immediate de-escalation'

About 20 states supporting the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, as well as United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, called on Wednesday for a "de-escalation" between Hezbollah and Israel in the country, at the start of a Security Council session devoted to the conflict.

"An immediate de-escalation and cessation of violence are imperative," urged Rosemary DiCarlo during the meeting initiated by France, and supported by several countries. She called on Hezbollah to "cease its attacks against Israel" and to "cooperate" with the Lebanese government, and for Israel to "end its military campaign in Lebanon and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory."

"The international community must strengthen its support for Lebanese state security services, especially the Lebanese Armed Forces," DiCarlo added.

Previously, France, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Nepal, North Macedonia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain and Uruguay had expressed their "deep concern" over "the escalation of hostilities" in the country.

On their behalf, France’s ambassador to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, urged Israel "to refrain from any attacks against civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas, and to respect Lebanese sovereignty and its territorial integrity."

These states also condemn "the irresponsible decision of Hezbollah to join the Iranian attacks against Israel ... dragging Lebanon into a war that neither its authorities nor its people want."

"We are ready to strengthen our support for the sovereignty of the Lebanese state and its armed forces," their statement continued.

Protecting civilians

During this Security Council session, the U.N.’s humanitarian operations chief, Tom Fletcher, called on states engaged in the Middle East conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure "across the entire region," and on the international community to "generously fund" the humanitarian response. He also called for a return to "a strategic, calm, rational and hopeful diplomacy."

"Whenever you hear the powerful attack on the U.N., ask yourself what they have gained by weakening us," Fletcher continued, against the background of repeated criticism by U.S. President Donald Trump toward the United Nations.

The U.N.’s Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, reminded the parties of their "clear and unequivocal responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the peacekeepers," following an attack that wounded three Ghanaian members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) last Friday.

Before this session, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, reiterated that "as long as there is a threat against us, we will continue to act."

"There are only two options here: either the Lebanese state acts to dismantle Hezbollah's military apparatus in southern Lebanon, or Israel will do so," he insisted.