The Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, said: "Israel sent several messages through parties from the European Union conveyed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Joseph Borrell and through the Vatican, stating that Lebanon must implement United Nations Resolution 1701, and that Hezbollah should be present north of the Litani River and not south of it, because the presence of the party, especially the Radwan Force on the border, prevents the residents of northern Israel from returning to their settlements."

This came in statements made by Bou Habib to the Lebanese newspaper (Nidaa Al-Watan) in its issued edition today after his return to Lebanon following a European tour during which he visited Brussels, Barcelona, and the Vatican.

Bou Habib added: "Israel will not accept the party remaining on the border," pointing out that Lebanon is under international pressure to persuade Hezbollah not to enter the war.. explaining that the government held the international parties responsible for pressuring Israel not to wage war on Lebanon because it initiated and threatened.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the Lebanese caretaker government confirmed that European ministers showed understanding of what the Lebanese government said, especially after affirming that Israel issues daily threats against Lebanon while neither the Lebanese government nor Hezbollah initiated threats against Israel.

Bou Habib explained that he conveyed to Borrell Lebanon’s welcome for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 related to the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel in its entirety.. noting that violations of the resolution by the Lebanese side are recent while Israel’s violations have been repeated since the resolution was adopted, by land, sea, and air at a rate of 30,000 violations.. calling for the fixing of the border between Lebanon and Israel to reduce friction and enhance the chances of peace and stability in southern Lebanon.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the Lebanese caretaker government expressed that during his meetings he sensed that the countries of the resolution suffer from what he described as European chaos and confusion regarding the situation in Gaza.. explaining that the ceasefire that prevailed after the first round did not hold due to the absence of a comprehensive binding project for both parties, referring to the experience in Lebanon where the ceasefire in 2006 was linked to the agreement on Resolution 1701, which was transformed from a draft resolution to a resolution after its adoption in the United Nations, so until now there is no possibility of agreeing on a resolution regarding Gaza.

He pointed out that European countries feel that a ceasefire is not possible for several reasons, including the need for a separating force like the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, the absence of a resolution similar to Resolution 1701, and the absence of striking forces to prevent friction between Palestinians and Israelis.

Bou Habib said: "Hezbollah was informed of the Americans’ and Europeans’ demand," pointing out that the government is trying with Hezbollah to avoid entering a war.. considering that the government may have succeeded in that so far despite the confrontations in the south.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government added that he informed the Europeans that Lebanon has no capacity for war, but if there are factions and armed organizations on the Lebanese border, the reason for that goes back to Israel’s repeated violations of international resolutions since 1974.