European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for the agreement between Israel and Lebanon, saying peace in the Middle East is impossible 'as long as Lebanon is in flames.' She thanked the US for its mediation and called for disarming armed groups not under state authority, according to a post on her official X account reported by Abu Ali Express.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a public statement Saturday evening endorsing the agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon, framing it as a necessary step to prevent escalation in the region. In a post on her official X account, cited by the Abu Ali Express channel, von der Leyen wrote: 'I welcome the agreement between Israel and Lebanon. This is a significant step to prevent escalation, because there cannot be peace in the Middle East as long as Lebanon is burning.' She thanked the United States for its mediation efforts and outlined what she views as the next key steps: 'disarming armed groups not subject to the state, and preserving Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' Von der Leyen also noted that the European Union is ready to support this path toward long-term regional stability, including through continued humanitarian aid, for which €100 million has been mobilized for displaced persons.
As The Zioneer reported on June 15, von der Leyen made a similar statement earlier this month, underscoring her consistent position that stability in Lebanon is a prerequisite for broader Middle East peace. The new statement comes amid a flurry of international endorsements of the Israel-Lebanon agreement, following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and ongoing diplomatic efforts by France, Italy, and other European actors. A European diplomat had earlier told Al-Hadath that Europe was preparing a concrete post-ceasefire role, including a €100 million support plan for the Lebanese army. Unlike the earlier statement, this one explicitly references the Israel-Lebanon agreement by name and adds the call for disarming non-state armed groups, a point that touches on Hezbollah's status.
- DevelopingEU chief von der Leyen: No peace in the Middle East while Lebanon is in flames
- StrongMacron backs US-Iran deal, says Lebanon ceasefire must be immediate
- StrongLebanese President Aoun insists no settlement will be made at Lebanon's expense
- StrongHezbollah welcomes Lebanon ceasefire; PM pledges to press for Israeli withdrawal
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