- Foreign Secretary announces over £5m of emergency funding in
support of the humanitarian work of the Lebanese Government.
Foreign Secretary said:
I am gravely concerned about the developing conflict in Lebanon,
and the scale of the humanitarian impact. We must not see a
widening of this conflict which is already causing significant
civilian casualties and mass displacement. Our immediate focus is
our humanitarian response in Lebanon and our diplomatic efforts
with allies to prevent escalation.
I strongly condemn Hizbollah's ongoing attacks against Israel.
These must cease immediately. The actions of this proscribed
terrorist group - at the instigation of the Iranian regime - are
once again drawing the people of Lebanon into a conflict they do
not want and which is not in their interests.
In recent days I have spoken to the Lebanese Prime Minister, the
Israeli Foreign Minister and discussed the situation with
European and US partners. We need clear diplomatic action to
prevent this conflict widening.
I welcome the commitments made by the Lebanese Government,
including the significant decision to ban all Hizballah's
military activities. We will continue to support the
Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese Government to assume full
responsibility for security.
A further expansion of this conflict must be averted. The
forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people
as a direct result of Israeli operations is completely
unacceptable and could have disastrous humanitarian
consequences.
Today, I am mobilising over £5m in emergency funding including to
the Lebanese Red Cross, the UN Lebanon Humanitarian Fund and the
World Food Programme, in support of the humanitarian work of the
Lebanese Government. This will help thousands of vulnerable
and displaced civilians across Lebanon to meet their basic needs,
including with food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene.
The shared focus should be on the threat from Hizbollah and on
protecting civilians across Lebanon. I strongly welcome proposals
for direct talks between the Lebanese Government and Israeli
Government. This presents the best route to lasting peace and
security for the people of Lebanon and the people of Israel. The
UK stands ready to support these efforts alongside our partners.
