In light of the escalating tensions between Lebanon and Israel, there has been an increase in visits by international and Arab envoys to Lebanon in recent weeks, aimed at preventing the deterioration of the security situation and avoiding a full-blown war that could drag the region into a cycle of violence. Among the notable visits were those by French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti, and U.S. Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein. Their efforts focused on calming the situation and preventing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from escalating.
A Lebanese source involved in discussions with the envoys told "Al-Anbaa" that the visit of the French Foreign Minister was part of Paris's efforts to ease the tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. The French minister conveyed a warning about the dangers of slipping into open military confrontation, urging the concerned parties to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue as a means to resolve disputes. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining regional stability, noting that any escalation in southern Lebanon would negatively impact the security of the entire region.
The source added that Abdel Atti focused on Cairo's historical role as a mediator between conflicting parties in the Middle East, stressing that Egypt is diligently working to prevent the expansion of war between Hezbollah and Israel, and that Cairo is ready to provide the necessary support to achieve de-escalation. The Egyptian minister notably reiterated the call for a return to the negotiating table to resolve all disputes, asserting that diplomatic solutions are the only way to avoid a humanitarian and economic catastrophe.
The source also noted that U.S. Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein concentrated during his visit on the need to reduce escalation and tensions along the border between Lebanon and Israel, allowing full space for negotiations that began in Doha and are continuing in Cairo. He stressed the importance of restraint and avoiding military escalation, mentioning that the United States is closely monitoring the situation and working to prevent the outbreak of a comprehensive war. He addressed the necessity of reaching an agreement regarding the land borders immediately after the war and a ceasefire, ensuring Lebanon's rights to its natural resources and preventing any potential conflict in the region.
The source considered that the visits of international and Arab envoys to Lebanon come at a critically sensitive time, as these countries seek to prevent the war between Hezbollah and Israel from expanding through calls for negotiation and restraint. He continued: the joint efforts of these envoys reflect the international community's desire to maintain regional stability and avoid humanitarian disasters that could result from any military escalation, potentially leading to a widespread war that is not desired by the concerned nations, except for Israel. The pressing question remains how responsive the parties, particularly the Israeli side, will be to these efforts and to preventing a war that could have dire consequences for everyone, according to "Al-Anbaa" Kuwait.
