In response to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Lebanese-Swiss Coordinating Committee, which was established by members of the Lebanese diaspora in Switzerland along with the Civic Influence Hub (CIH) as the Lebanese World Advisory Organization and is comprised of representatives from sovereign parties and active civil society organizations, emphasized in a statement issued today “the need to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty and maintain its neutrality in the face of current hostilities.” The committee’s statement “strongly denounced all forms of violence, extremism, and the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians and vital infrastructure.” It also stressed the importance of “upholding international law, particularly humanitarian law.”
The LSCC appealed to Switzerland, “considering its historical role in establishing peace and security through its distinctive policy of neutrality.” The LSCC members urged the Swiss government to “utilize all diplomatic efforts to pressure the involved parties to refrain from dragging Lebanon into the conflict and prevent it from potentially turning into a war zone.” The LSCC added, “Given the current circumstances, the Lebanese people are in dire need of neutrality and the avoidance of any potential destructive risks.”
The LSCC further stated that “any significant escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli borders, compounded by the violation of the 1701 resolution and the current instability, is likely to exacerbate the already tense regional situation, and this could subject Lebanese citizens and UNIFIL to significant risks and potentially lead to regional instability beyond the scope of international law. Thus, preventing the situation from deteriorating represents a shared interest between Switzerland and Lebanon.”
They also emphasized that “Lebanon aspires to regain its status as a free, sovereign, and independent state that upholds constitutional principles, asserts its sovereignty over its entire territory within internationally recognized borders, and respects the dignity and rights of the Lebanese citizens. Regrettably, Lebanon’s sovereignty is currently violated, its independence compromised, and its people deprived of their agency.”
The LSCC concluded by “urging the Swiss Government, in light of its support for the aspirations of the Lebanese people, to endorse the call for Lebanon’s neutrality as a fundamental aspect of the historical Lebanese-Swiss relationship. Such acknowledgment would strengthen the cooperation between both countries based on the values of freedom, justice, pluralism, respect for human rights, and the promotion of sustainable peace.”
