ISTANBUL
Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Wednesday called for de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that security cannot be achieved through force and urging renewed diplomacy.
“At this point in the 21st century, we know that seeking security and drawing borders by force leads to chaos. Democracy and stability are not built with bombs,” Albares said on US social media company X.
He added that “cooperation is always more powerful than confrontation.”
Albares warned that Lebanon’s sovereignty is under threat, saying its territorial integrity is being violated and its population displaced.
He called on Hezbollah and Israel to halt attacks, comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and respect the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Addressing broader regional tensions, Albares said Iran is “attacking its neighbors without justification,” accusing Tehran of fueling instability.
He also stressed that the Palestinian issue must remain central, saying it “cannot be forgotten.”
Reiterating support for a two-state solution, Albares said “regional peace can only come from mutual recognition” between Israel and Palestine.
He said Spain’s foreign policy prioritizes de-escalation and diplomacy, emphasizing that negotiations remain the only viable path to resolving regional disputes, including concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.