World powers meet to push Lebanon aid, ceasefire

24/10/2024 16:42

        World powers are meeting in Paris on Thursday aiming to raise at least 500 million euros in urgent humanitarian aid for Lebanon and push for a ceasefire, but with the U.S. focused on its own efforts, diplomats said they expect little concrete progress.
        
        France has historical ties with Lebanon and has been working with Washington in trying to secure a ceasefire. But its influence has been limited since Israel launched a large-scale onslaught on Iran-backed Hezbollah in September that has seen thousands displaced and more than 2,000 people killed.
        
        Paris hastily arranged the conference as a means to show it still has clout in its former protectorate, but while 70 delegations and 15 international organisations are represented, few major ministers are attending.
        
        France's special envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that if the conflict did not stop there was a risk of civil war.
        
        "If this continues, Lebanon is in danger of death," he told LCI television.