French-American proposal: Three-stage plan to stop escalation in Lebanon
Involving Iran in talks indicates recognition of its disruptive role in Lebanon, and could be a crucial factor in the success of any de-escalation initiative
September 26, 2024, 10:24 pm

French-American proposal: Three-stage plan to stop escalation in Lebanon

علم لبنان

Following the White House's confirmation of ongoing diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, sources from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath have revealed details of a French-American initiative consisting of 3 stages to cease fire between the parties. The sources reported that the Paris and Washington plan calls for dismantling Hezbollah's military installations on the border.

France is conducting communications with Iran, Lebanon, and Hezbollah to calm the situation. Paris is also re-proposing a de-escalation plan between the parties at the negotiating table. The same sources clarified that France is working on drafting a new text to facilitate the implementation of Resolution 1701.

Moreover, Paris and Washington are seeking to achieve a temporary truce followed by a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath sources. France emphasizes a pivotal role for the Lebanese army in the border area and prioritizes ensuring that Israel does not expand the scope of its operations in Lebanon.

The same sources added that France appealed to Hezbollah not to drag Lebanon into the war. In a related context, American officials revealed to "Axios" that Israeli regime president Benjamin Netanyahu and his team contributed to drafting the de-escalation proposal with Hezbollah, while Israeli officials told Axios that Netanyahu did not present the de-escalation proposal to the mini-cabinet.

These developments came following France and the United States' call yesterday, Wednesday, after intensive diplomatic consultations at the United Nations, for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to avoid exacerbating the situation, in a call supported by Arab and European countries.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro is expected to visit Lebanon in the coming days after his country worked with the concerned parties to define the criteria for a diplomatic solution to the crisis based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution was adopted by the United Nations following the 33-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, which expanded the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force, allowing it to assist the Lebanese army in maintaining weapon-free areas in the south, except for those belonging to the Lebanese state.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.