Borrell in Beirut says 1701 implementation can 'pave way for comprehensive settlement'

European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell met Thursday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, as he visits Lebanon to prevent further escalation of the Gaza war.

Berri told Borell during their meeting in Ain el-Tineh that "Lebanon does not want war but that it has the right to defend itself and is able to do it," while Borell said after the meeting that Lebanon cannot protect its foreign interests if there is no domestic accord, urging for a solution to the presidential impasse.

The EU Delegation to Lebanon said in a statement that Borell's mission will be an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the situation in and around Gaza and wider political issues with regional leaders, notably the impact of the conflict on neighboring countries and their respective contributions to peace and stability efforts, the EU Delegation said.

Borell also met Thursday with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun and had met on Wednesday with with former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat.

At a joint press conference with Bou Habib, Borrell called for a de-escalation of tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border, with ongoing fears of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Since I last visited Lebanon in January, the drums of war have not stopped pounding," Borrell said, noting that as yet, full-blown conflict in south Lebanon "has not happened. That's good news."

"We need to de-escalate military tensions," Borrell added, urging "all sides to pursue this path."

Borrell said the EU was putting all its diplomatic efforts towards avoiding a broader escalation, particularly in south Lebanon, but added: "I don't have a magic wand."

Borrell said that according to the United Nations more than 4,000 residential buildings have been completely destroyed in Lebanon and more than 110,000 Lebanese have been forced to leave their homes along the border. He said the same thing is happening on the Israeli side of the border.

"We have to continue pushing for a comprehensive peace in the region," he said at the end of a two-day trip to Lebanon after also visiting Egypt.

Borrell also called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which "should pave the way for a comprehensive settlement, including land border demarcation and allowing" tens of thousands of displaced people to return on both sides.

The resolution ended a 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and called for the Lebanese Army and United Nations peacekeepers to be the only armed forces deployed in south Lebanon. Lebanon and Israel demarcated their maritime frontier in 2022 but disputes over the land border remain unresolved.

Bou Habib reiterated Lebanon's commitment to "the comprehensive and balanced implementation" of Resolution 1701.

After meeting Borell, Jumblat said that "few people in history stand out in such circumstances," lauding Borrell's stance on the Gaza War. He also praised UNRWA's Philippe Lazzarini and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and said he hopes there were more people like them in the world and in the Arab states.

Borell had visited Cairo on Monday where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.