In view of the recent grave developments in the Middle East, Malta is supporting the EU Presidency’s timely decision to convene the 25 foreign ministers for an extraordinary General Affairs and External Relations Council today, in an effort to contribute positively to international efforts for an immediate halt to hostilities and return to diplomacy in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Michael Frendo will participate in today’s council meeting in Brussels.

“The Maltese government expresses its preoccupation with the escalating developments in the Middle East, which have inexorably led to a rapid deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation. We profoundly regret the loss of human life. The destabilising situation in Lebanon and Gaza poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region and beyond, and could have irrevocable long-term consequences,” said Dr Frendo.

While calling for the immediate and unconditional release by Hezbollah of the abducted Israeli soldiers, and condemning the firing of rockets from Lebanese territory into Israeli cities, Malta condemns the disproportionate Israeli reaction that has resulted in so many civilian casualties, a massive displacement of Lebanese citizens and great damage to the country’s infrastructure. “Malta underlines that an immediate end to hostilities and the resumption of dialogue must be the paramount objectives,” Minister Frendo added.

Commenting on the Rome Meeting held last week to discuss the situation, Dr Frendo said that Malta welcomed the statement made at the International Conference in Rome that an International Force in Lebanon should be urgently authorised under a UN mandate to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in providing a secure environment. In parallel, however, it is vital that an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon materialises as a matter of priority in order to prevent further loss of innocent lives. While the cease-fire’s durability and sustainability are important objectives, these should not be established as pre-conditions to achieve an end to the hostilities that are daily claiming more lives.

With all the focus on Lebanon, the international community cannot let the worrying events in Gaza, also characterised by untold human suffering, fade into the background. Malta continues to emphasise the central role of President Mahmoud Abbas as a man of peace in the search for a negotiated two-state solution. The international community must strive to create the necessary conditions that would facilitate the attainment of this goal through a viable political process, said the Foreign Minister.