The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, delivered a speech at the conference "Resolution 1701 and the National Defense Strategy" at the University of Saint Joseph, stating: "We gather today to discuss and exchange ideas on how to protect and fortify Lebanon in light of the earthquake that is shaking the Middle East. This region has not enjoyed stability, peace, or prosperity for more than 75 years, since the establishment of Israel in Palestine, which expelled more than half of the Palestinian population to neighboring countries, including Lebanon. Many Palestinians were also forcibly displaced to the West Bank, where they currently make up about a third of its population, and around two-thirds of Gaza's population are also refugees from other areas in historic Palestine. Each time we discuss this conflict or engage in efforts, we find ourselves seeking mere palliatives, especially when the intensity of the conflict escalates, the latest being the developments since the events of October 7, 2023." He continued: "From this standpoint, let us agree that for decades until today, we have not been given a real opportunity for peace in the Middle East, which has faltered since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin by an Israeli extremist in 1995. The key to solutions is to find a fair and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian cause, and to the catastrophe of a people forced to endure suffering just to keep their cause alive. There are no sustainable solutions in our region without a final and just resolution to the Palestinian cause, based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative adopted at the Beirut Summit in 2002. It has been, and remains, our lifeline to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. When will we learn that partial solutions and settlements are precursors to new wars and calamities? There will be no lasting and comprehensive peace without justice for Palestine and its people."
He said: "From what has been presented, it may come to some minds that we are doomed to wait and leave southern Lebanon to its fate to build upon what is necessary. On the contrary, as much as all citizens of our homeland are anxious over the dangers of the expansion of this conflict across the regions, especially Lebanon, in our Middle East, we see that the danger of war also represents a historic opportunity to achieve lasting stability and peace along Lebanon's southern borders. Therefore, we repeat to the whole world, and to those who threaten us day and night with destruction and calamity, that Lebanon does not seek war, nor has it ever sought it, nor will it today. We have already been burned by the fire of the war that lasted 15 years, as we learned from the tragedies, calamities, wars, and Israeli invasions that left behind thousands of victims, martyrs, and wounded. Therefore, our decision and choice remains to engineer a lasting calm and stability in southern Lebanon, as it is the most effective means for prosperity and development. We note in this regard that UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701 has contributed to creating relative stability since the end of the July War in 2006 until the Gaza events began on October 7, as during the 17 years of this resolution, there have been no military actions threatening regional peace and security along the Israeli withdrawal line of 2000, known as the Blue Line."
Bou Habib continued: "The events in Gaza have come to undermine the rules of the game and the balance established by Resolution 1701, disrupting the relative stability experienced in southern Lebanon and resulting in the displacement of about 100,000 Lebanese from their villages and homes to safer places. Given the threats issued by high-ranking Israeli officials of continuing this senseless war without a political horizon or desire for lasting peace and solutions to the fundamental issue in Palestine, how can Lebanon fortify its southern front and achieve solid and enduring stability in the south?"
