Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib at Rome MED Mediterranean Dialogues.
Rome, Italy: This edition the Rome MED –Mediterranean Dialogues 2024 comes at a critical juncture, with most speakers focusing on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The war in Gaza, escalating violence in Lebanon, and rising regional tensions have brought the Middle East and Mediterranean regions to the brink of a full-scale crisis. Hopes for détente have faded significantly, while the toll in human lives, destroyed infrastructure, economic stagnation, and weakened strategic alliances continues to rise. In these turbulent times, fostering dialogue and revitalizing cooperation in the region has never been more urgent.
During the opening session on Monday, Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, emphasized the dire situation in Lebanon. He stated, “The people of Lebanon seek shelter under the umbrella of the United Nations and its institutions to protect themselves from external greed and aggression.” Bou Habib condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and UNIFIL, urging the international community to pressure Israel to halt its ongoing aggression. He highlighted the devastation: widespread destruction, displacement of approximately 1.5 million Lebanese, and the mounting loss of life. This, he said, strengthens Lebanon’s determination to seek international support for recovery and resilience. The assistance of Lebanon’s allies is essential for the nation’s rebound.
Lebanon’s aspirations, Bou Habib noted, center on building a strong state capable of defending its people, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He reflected on the post-independence belief, prevalent since 1943, that Lebanon's security rested in its perceived weakness. This flawed approach, coupled with the failure to implement United Nations resolutions for a Palestinian state, has shaped Lebanon’s challenges since the 1960s. Efforts to establish strong military and security institutions have consistently faltered.
To address these issues, Lebanon requires robust international support to build effective armed and security forces capable of defending its territory. Bou Habib stressed that overcoming the current challenges demands coordinated national and global efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s security and stability.
Riyad Malki, Special Envoy of President Mahmoud Abbas and Advisor for International Affairs of Palestine, addressed several pressing issues during his speech on Monday, including divisions among Palestinian factions and the role of the European Union in the Palestinian cause.
“We have made numerous attempts to overcome the divisions among Palestinian factions, but these divisions have proven detrimental to the Palestinian cause and have hindered progress,” Malki stated. He emphasized that achieving unity between Fatah and Hamas is crucial, particularly to reintegrate Hamas into the political mainstream. This includes recognizing the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate governing body for both the West Bank and Gaza.
Malki reflected on past dealings with the Trump administration, during which relations were severed early on. He noted ongoing deliberations about whether this approach remains viable, as many believe a second Trump term would differ from the first. "We are considering how a potential new Trump administration might operate, what deals it could propose, and how best to respond,” Malki explained.
On the role of the European Union, Malki acknowledged its financial support for the Palestinian Authority and its contributions to various projects. However, he criticized the EU for its political limitations, citing internal divisions among member states as a significant barrier to meaningful action. “The EU has often substituted political effectiveness with financial aid, which, while welcome, highlights their inability to address the root causes of Palestinian suffering,” he said.
Malki also pointed to Israel's rejection of any substantive role for the EU in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting that this exclusion further restricts the EU’s impact. Despite initiatives like the global campaign for a two-state solution, Malki expressed skepticism about the EU’s capacity to drive meaningful progress.
He underscored the Palestinian Authority's commitment to governance reforms and international standards, emphasizing its adherence to global conventions. However, he lamented the ongoing Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, and military actions in Gaza, which he described as major obstacles to implementing Palestine’s vision for effective governance. "The repeated wars on Gaza and the continued annexation of Palestinian land undermine our ability to realize our aspirations,” Malki concluded.
