Haavisto warns of looming refugee crisis in Lebanon amid Israeli ground offensive

Finnish MP and Foreign Affairs Committee member Pekka Haavisto has voiced deep concern over Lebanon’s ability to protect its citizens following the Israeli ground offensive that began in the country on October 1, 2024. Haavisto stressed the need for

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Oct 01 2024
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Haavisto warns of looming refu

Finnish MP and Foreign Affairs Committee member Pekka Haavisto has voiced deep concern over Lebanon’s ability to protect its citizens following the Israeli ground offensive that began in the country on October 1, 2024. Haavisto stressed the need for Finland to take an active role in addressing the escalating crisis.

The offensive, launched in the early hours of Thursday, has drawn sharp condemnation from Haavisto, particularly over the impact on civilians.

He emphasized that the repercussions extend far beyond the battlefield, with a looming refugee crisis that threatens to overwhelm the already fragile Lebanese state.

“Around one million people have already sought refuge due to earlier conflicts, and this new offensive will only increase the number of refugees. Lebanon is a fragile state lacking the capacity to protect its citizens,” Haavisto warned.

Haavisto highlighted the urgent need for diplomatic negotiations to prevent the broader Middle East crisis from spiraling out of control. He reiterated the importance of advancing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, calling it the key to resolving the long-standing conflict.

“If the root causes of this crisis cannot be addressed, the Middle East will remain an uncontrollable hotspot,” he stated.

Haavisto underscored Finland’s responsibility to be actively involved in peace initiatives for the region. He called for the EU to step up support for the Lebanese government, preventing the country from collapsing under the weight of the crisis. Humanitarian aid for civilians and refugees should be dispatched quickly, and diplomatic efforts must be made to restart negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

“Finland must do everything it can in EU discussions to support Lebanon’s government, to ensure the country doesn’t collapse. Aid must be delivered swiftly to civilians and refugees, and we should push for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations,” Haavisto stated. He also stressed the importance of closely monitoring the safety of Finnish peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, especially if the conflict escalates further.

Haavisto urged the EU to reinforce Lebanon’s capacity to manage the ongoing crisis. He also called for the UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, to fulfill its mandate by disarming non-state actors in Lebanon. Haavisto argued that this step is essential for stabilizing the region and reducing the risk of further conflict.

“The UNIFIL mission must operate according to its original purpose, ensuring that non-state actors in Lebanon are disarmed,” he concluded.

As tensions rise in the Middle East, Haavisto’s calls for immediate action highlight the growing risk of a humanitarian disaster and the critical role of international diplomacy in mitigating the crisis.