BEIRUT: Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Wednesday urged warring parties across the Middle East to accept “peace proposals”, stressing that the region, including Lebanon, “does not need war.”
Speaking at a press conference in Beirut during a multi-day visit to Lebanon, Parolin highlighted the critical juncture facing the Middle East and emphasized the urgent need for acceptance of peace proposals.
“The Middle East is going through a critical moment,” Parolin remarked. He urged all parties involved to halt hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages in Gaza while ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian population.
“Lebanon, the Middle East, indeed the entire world, certainly does not need war,” Parolin emphasized.
Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 37,718 Palestinians, mostly women and children, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory reported.
Despite efforts, including US President Joe Biden’s proposed ceasefire plan announced on May 31, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Fears growing of a broader regional war drawing in Hezbollah, a Lebanese Hamas ally.
Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on Wednesday cautioned against Lebanon’s stability being tethered to complex and protracted conflicts.
“Linking Lebanon’s stability and interests to extremely complicated conflicts and never-ending wars is detrimental,” Mikati stated. He urged for a focus on Lebanon’s internal stability amidst external tensions.
The exchange of near-daily cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah has further escalated tensions, claiming over 480 lives in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally. In Israel, authorities reported casualties.
During his visit, Parolin held talks with political and religious leaders in Lebanon, expressing grave concern over the country’s prolonged presidential vacuum since October 2022. He emphasized the urgency of electing a head of state to navigate Lebanon’s political challenges.
“Electing a president is an urgent and absolute necessity,” Parolin stressed, urging Lebanon’s political factions to expedite the process and find a viable solution to the deadlock.
