Report: Europe to help Lebanon and Gaza, Borrell to visit Beirut

The European arena will witness efforts aimed at contributing to a solution that would secure a ceasefire in Gaza and another between Hezbollah and Israel as soon as possible, in light of the looming U.S. presidential election, diplomatic sources in Paris said.

“European leaders will fill this void until the beginning of next year and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell will visit Lebanon this September to discuss with Lebanese officials the latest developments in the local and regional arenas to help Lebanon overcome its crises,” the sources told Annahar newspaper in remarks published Thursday.

“Several European nations will hold international conferences aimed at helping Gaza and Lebanon overcome their crises, with Spain calling for a ministerial-level conference for Gaza and Lebanon in mid-September in which European, Arab and foreign nations and organizations will take place,” the sources said.

“On the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit that will be held in Paris on October 4 and 5, French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a conference with the participating countries to discuss all aspects of the Lebanese situation and help pull Lebanon out of its crisis,” the sources added.

Macron will call for “a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel” as well as for facilitating the election of a new president and the formation of a government that would carry out necessary reforms, the sources added.