<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Spain and Lebanon have signed a joint statement on Monday in which they call for a “permanent and immediate ceasefire” and to “restore Lebanon's sovereignty over its territory” and in which they “condemn” Israel's attacks against the UN mission in the country (UNIFIL) and against the Lebanese Armed Forces.</strong></h4> “Spain and Lebanon call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire to allow for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” says the statement, adopted in Barcelona by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, on the occasion of the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in which the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States will address the situation in the Middle East. “This means restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty over its territory and guaranteeing the return to their homes of those displaced on both sides of the Blue Line,” the text continues. “Spain and Lebanon condemn the attacks against UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces,” the text continues. “The Governments of Spain and Lebanon also condemn the attacks against medical personnel, health facilities, journalists and civilians and demand full respect for International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions,” it adds. Likewise, “Spain and Lebanon are committed to working together to stabilise the situation in the south of the country and to build lasting peace in the region.” “The Government of Spain “reiterates its willingness to continue contributing to alleviating the serious humanitarian crisis in the country and to strengthen support through Spanish Cooperation, including to support the stabilisation phase,” it continues. “To date in 2024, Spain has provided nearly 5.5 million euros in Humanitarian Aid and approximately 12 tonnes of medicines and blankets for the vulnerable population,” the statement concludes. “In Barcelona I met with my Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib,” José Manuel Albares said through the social network X. “I conveyed to him Spain’s commitment to his country. We will remain in UNIFIL, we have contributed 5.5 million euros in humanitarian aid and we will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces,” he added.
