The ECR Group in the European Parliament strongly welcomes the
adoption of the resolution on the situation in Lebanon.
In the text, MEPs expressed deep concern about the country’s
current crisis, calling for swift national elections as well as
for sanctions against the Lebanese political and financial elite
responsible for the dire state of affairs in the country.
According to the Deputies, the international community must
provide financial support to Lebanon and to the Lebanese armed
forces to prevent a further collapse of the country and state
institutions.
The ECR Group endorses the European Parliament's view that
Hezbollah is responsiblefor Lebanon's devastating political and
economic crisis and the repression of the 2019 popular movement.
For the first time, MEPs have recognised the organisation’s
strong ideological allegiance with Iran which acts to destabilise
Lebanon.
Speaking after the vote, ECR Foreign Affairs Coordinator MEP Anna
Fotyga said:
“Ever since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s
assassination, Lebanon has been in turmoil and in Hezbollah’s
tight grip. I strongly welcome the wording on Hezbollah’s
destabilising role in Lebanon and the organisation’s terrorist
links. Hezbollah is truly one of the key players responsible for
Lebanon’s dire political, social and financial crisis.
“We would like to express our solidarity to all Lebanese people
affected by the current crisis, including by the Beirut port
blast, and stress that there cannot be impunity for members of
the Lebanese political elite responsible for the national
tragedy.
“We welcome the Council Decision to establish a framework for
targeted sanctions against the Lebanese political and financial
elite who seek to obstruct or undermine the democratic political
process in Lebanon, the fight against corruption or who continue
to stonewall the need for urgent reforms in the country’s public
sectors.”
Standing ECR Shadow Rapporteur on Lebanon MEP Charlie Weimers
added:
“I warmly welcome the resolution’s blunt wording on Hezbollah,
which is a great improvement compared to all previous resolutions
and reports concerning Lebanon. It greatly challenges the
left-liberal groups to come to terms with Hezbollah’s true
terrorist nature and to do away with the made-up distinction
between the so-called military and political wings of the
organisation. It is a distinction that is strongly denied by
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, himself who stresses that
Hezbollah has one single leadership and that no distinction
between wings exists.
“I would like to express my sincere solidarity to all Lebanese
impacted by the Beirut port blast, in particular those living in
the vibrant Christian neighbourhoods that were most affected, and
I strongly call for all those responsible to be held accountable
without delay.”
