Lebanon Criticizes Biden’s Remarks on Conflict with Israel as ‘Not Promising’ – Reuters

NEW YORK – Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed his disappointment with President Joe Biden’s comments regarding the escalating crisis between Israel and Lebanon, delivered earlier on Tuesday. Despite his frustrations, he remains hopeful that U.S. intervention could help resolve the situation.

"It was not strong. It is not promising and it would not solve this problem," Bou Habib said, reflecting on Biden’s address to the United Nations. He emphasized the United States’ unique ability to effect change in the Middle East and in relation to Lebanon during a virtual event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

An estimated half a million individuals have been displaced in Lebanon, according to Bou Habib, who also mentioned that Lebanon’s prime minister is anticipated to meet with U.S. officials in the coming days.

Following almost a year of conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel is now turning its attention to the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israeli territory in solidarity with Hamas. Israel reports that around 70,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate from northern areas.

In his speech, Biden aimed to reduce tensions, asserting that full-scale war was not beneficial for any party and maintained that a diplomatic resolution remained feasible. Israel has expressed a preference for a diplomatic settlement that would push Hezbollah away from the border.

Hezbollah has also indicated a desire to avoid a large-scale conflict, asserting that halting the war in Gaza is crucial for de-escalation. However, efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza have stalled after months of mediated discussions involving various parties.

Bou Habib criticized the Israeli government, suggesting that it is not genuinely interested in negotiating peace and is instead focused on achieving military victory. U.S. efforts to prevent a broader conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have been spearheaded by special envoy Amos Hochstein, who is facing challenges due to a continuous cycle of attacks that began on October 8, following Hamas’s assault on Israel.

Hochstein and French diplomats have sought to negotiate an arrangement where Hezbollah would retreat from the Israeli border, allowing the Lebanese army to establish a buffer zone. However, Hezbollah has refused to agree to such a deal unless Israel commits to a ceasefire with Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel has stated that a key aim of its military actions is to facilitate the return of displaced Israelis in northern territories.