Paris Conference Aims for Humanitarian Aid and Political Resolution in Lebanon Amid Notable Absences
This Thursday, more than 70 countries and international organizations will gather in Paris for a conference aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, primarily following the recent confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah. However, the notable absentees from this meeting are Iran and Israel, both of which could have significantly influenced the dynamics of the discussions.
French diplomatic sources suggest that the absence of these two countries will help maintain the focus on achieving concrete objectives, rather than complicating matters with diverging political agendas. The key goals for this conference, as outlined by the French government, are to secure a ceasefire in southern Lebanon, lay the groundwork for a comprehensive political resolution, and facilitate urgent humanitarian aid for the affected population.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to open the conference with a keynote speech, setting the tone for the discussions to follow. Among the prominent figures participating in the event are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who will meet with Macron prior to the conference.
Despite the optimism surrounding humanitarian aid efforts, Paris has low political expectations regarding a political resolution to the conflict, especially in light of the absence of key figures such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. However, French officials remain in constant contact with Washington to keep them informed of developments.
French sources have indicated a preference for reaffirming UN resolution 1701, established in 2006, rather than seeking more advanced solutions at this time. Notably, both Macron and US President Joe Biden called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire during the recent UN General Assembly, a call that is still viewed as relevant.
This ceasefire call entails a dual halt: an end to Hezbollah's missile launches targeting northern Israel and a cessation of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. France aims for the conference to assist in raising the 400 million euros that the United Nations has estimated as urgently needed aid for Lebanon, significantly impacted by Israeli bombardments in the ongoing conflict.
The situation in Lebanon has escalated with more deaths reported than during the 2006 invasion, and the conflict has displaced over 800,000 individuals in a country already grappling with myriad challenges. In response to the urgent humanitarian needs, Macron is anticipated to unveil France’s financial pledge, while several Gulf countries participating in the conference are also expected to commit funds.
The anticipated contributions will not only prioritize immediate humanitarian assistance—particularly to southern Lebanon, which has suffered extensive damage—but will also aim to bolster the Lebanese armed forces and security institutions. Strengthening these forces is viewed as critical for the country's reconstruction efforts once hostilities cease, especially considering that Lebanon has been without a president for the past two years.
This marks the fourth time Paris has hosted a conference on Lebanon within the last four years; however, past gatherings have generally concentrated on the aftermath of the devastating Beirut port explosion in 2020, which led to significant casualties and widespread destruction. As the conference convenes, the hope remains that tangible outcomes can emerge to address both humanitarian crises and future political stability in Lebanon.
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