Wider Middle East war could have serious implications for EU — analyst

The increasingly worsening crisis in the Middle East has Europe and the world further polarised, experts warn, and a wider regional war could have massive implications for the EU and the continent at large.

Prof Luigi Narbone, a former EU ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, believes the bloc’s member states are paying the price for being too divided over the matter.

The warning comes as G7 leaders called for de-escalation and a decrease in tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border in a conference call on Wednesday, where they discussed the fighting and worsening crisis.

“We should not underestimate that, especially in the southern parts of the world, the perception is that Europe has adopted double standards,” said Narbone.

“On the one hand, (there’s) the condemnation against Russia’s (President Vladimir) Putin; on the other, an ambivalent attitude toward Israel and the Middle East conflict.”

This double standard is very damaging to the EU’s credibility and the defence of fundamental values, Narbone said.

“The lack of stability in the region could affect the role of Russia in Syria and have repercussions on the economy. Sorting out the crisis is crucial for Europe, and it’s directly linked to migration flows with people fleeing war-hit areas in the region,” the former EU ambassador stressed.

The Italian government, which holds the presidency of the G7, would like the United Nations Security Council to consider strengthening the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s mission mandate and extending its powers and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the UNIFIL has said it will remain in place despite the latest developments.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the UN mission said that any crossing into Lebanon violates Lebanese sovereignty.

Though many countries still believe a diplomatic solution to end the conflict is achievable, so far, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions have failed to bring about concrete results.

Israel launched a ground incursion into Lebanon on Tuesday. Its forces have since then clashed with Hezbollah militants in a narrow strip along the border, and the IDF has launched several deadly airstrikes to bolster the campaign.

A series of attacks before the incursion killed some of the group’s key members, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Authorities in Lebanon say about 1.2 million people have been displaced and over 1,300 killed so far, according to health officials.