Lebanese leader Mikati lobbies Paris conference in bid to avoid war escalating

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Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday said his country was facing “total destruction” as he called for international support at a conference in Paris.

“I come to you with a heavy heart to shed light on the ongoing aggression by Israel on Lebanon,” Mr Mikati told representatives of more than 50 countries invited to the conference.

“This storm is not like the others because it carries the seed of the total destruction not only of my country but also of the values of all humanity,” Mr Mikati added, speaking shortly after another wave of Israeli bombs had pummelled Beirut.

Lebanon wants the international community to send emergency support, help bring about an immediate ceasefire and back the posting of 8,000 Lebanese soldiers south of the Litani river, Mr Mikati said.

Reiterating his calls for a ceasefire, meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged €100 million ($108 million) for Lebanon. Conference organisers hope to at least match a UN appeal for $426 million in aid. Germany has announced €96 million in aid, the UK £15 million ($19.5 million), while Ireland on Wednesday said it would give €5 million.

Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough are low, as neither Israel nor Iran have been invited. Israel has reportedly recently hardened its demands, requesting continued access to Lebanese airspace and the creation of a buffer zone in the south of the country, in addition to the withdrawal of Hezbollah.

Further pledges are expected from countries attending the conference, where representatives include Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, and Waleed El Khereiji, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Israel launched a bombing campaign and land incursion in southern Lebanon in late September, nearly one year after Iran-backed Hezbollah increased its cross-border attacks in solidarity with Hamas. More than 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, while 1.3 million have been displaced.

The war comes at a difficult time for Lebanon, which has had no president for two years due to disagreements among political parties, which has only exacerbated a protracted financial crisis.

Speaking to The National on the sidelines of the conference, Ms Al Kaabi said it was important Lebanese politicians agreed on appointing a new president. She told delegates that random bombings are raising the threat of war spreading further across the region.

"The UAE is very committed in making sure there is a de-escalation and a commitment to UN Resolution 1701," she said, referring to the resolution that ended the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, in 2006. It required the full withdrawal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon and for Israel to stop entering Lebanese airspace – neither was carried out.

Lebanese politicians must agree on a new president while the international community should support the country's army, Ms Al Kaabi added. "There has to be a political resolution that all parties should adhere to."

The UAE pledged $130 million at the beginning of the crisis and has recently shipped the equivalent of more than 50 plane loads of aid that will arrive in Lebanon on Friday.

Special focus was given at the conference to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which was represented by Brig Gen Youssef Haddad. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Industry Minister George Bouchikian and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin were also present.

“The full implementation of 1701 from both Lebanon and Israel will safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and provide security on our southern borders that can allow displaced communities to return to their regions,” said Mr Mikati.

Recruitment of soldiers

Hope remains that the Lebanese army can strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon after a ceasefire and a withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters. In addition to accelerating the army's posting, Lebanon and France have called for the recruitment of at least 6,000 new soldiers. The Lebanese cabinet has already approved the hiring of 1,500 troops.

“The decision to recruit more soldiers is a significant step towards enhancing capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to obtain security and stability in the region,” said Mr Mikati.

The border between Israel and Lebanon is patrolled by the UN, whose staff have come under attack from Israel, leading to widespread condemnation.

Yet transforming young recruits into professional soldiers necessitates long-term financial and human investments, said Brig Gen Haddad. The army will also have to clear rubble caused by Israeli bombing and create a secure environment to bring humanitarian aid to civilians.

A strong army would protect Lebanon from a civil war, added Brig Gen Haddad, the danger of which has been highlighted by French officials several times this week. “Lebanon is in mortal danger,” France's envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian warned in the run-up to the conference.

Israeli strikes have largely targeted and displaced the country's Shiite population, which overwhelmingly supports Hezbollah. A number of Shiite villages near the border have been emptied and destroyed by Israel's offensive.

Lebanon also houses a significant Sunni and Christian population, some of which are hostile to Hezbollah. The group was the only militia to keep its weapons at the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.

“We have two challenges,” said Brig Gen Haddad. “While having an eye on the south, we have an eye on the interior of the country, on social and intercommunity cohesion, which is the main pillar of the Lebanese army,” he said.

Mr Macron also criticised both Hezbollah and Israel.

“I bitterly regret that Iran has engaged Hezbollah against Israel, while Lebanon's higher interest required it to stay away from the war in Gaza,” Mr Macron said. “I bitterly regret that Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon, in the south in Beirut and elsewhere, and that the number of civilian victims continues to increase.”

Mr Macron hinted at Israel's past military experiences in Lebanon and at Hezbollah's increase in popularity after the 2006 war, though the group currently appears weak after Israel killed off much of its leadership.

“Israel knows from experience that its military successes are not necessarily a victory in Lebanon,” he said.