Beirut, December 28, 2023 (Xinhua) – Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned today (Thursday) that the continuation of Israeli provocations in southern Lebanon may lead to a deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of a comprehensive war in the region.
This came, according to a statement issued by Mikati’s office, during his meeting with British Foreign Minister David Cameron, where they reviewed relations between the two countries and the situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza.
During the meeting, Mikati renewed the demand to stop the Israeli aggression against Gaza and southern Lebanon.
He considered that the continuation of Israeli provocations in the south may lead to a deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of a comprehensive war in the region as a whole.
Mikati called for exerting maximum pressure to stop the Israeli attacks on the south.
He reiterated that the gateway to stopping the war in Gaza begins with a ceasefire, then moving to negotiating a solution on the basis of two states and giving the Palestinians their rights.
He stressed that the continuation of British aid to the army would support the efforts of the military institution and its work in this difficult circumstance.
In turn, Cameron considered that escalating the conflict from Gaza to Lebanon, the Red Sea, or across the region as a whole would raise the level of risks and insecurity in the world.
“I am grateful to the Lebanese Prime Minister for discussing these critical issues with me today and for Lebanon’s efforts to prevent such escalation,” he said.
On the other hand, a statement from Mikati’s office stated that he had a call with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, during which he expressed his concern about the escalation of the Israeli aggression against the south and the widespread targeting of civilians.
He considered that this continuation of the attacks would bring Lebanon into a comprehensive confrontation that could affect all countries in the region, and asked for pressure on Israel to stop its continued violations.
The border between Lebanon and Israel has witnessed escalating tension and intermittent military confrontations between Lebanese Hezbollah and armed Palestinian factions with the Israeli army, since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 7 last.
The confrontations on the Lebanese side since last October 8 led to the killing of 183 people, including 128 members of Hezbollah, a member of the Civil Defense, a soldier from the Lebanese Army, a member of each of the Amal Movement and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, 16 members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Islamic Jihad in Lebanon, and 35 members. Civilians, including 3 journalists, according to party statements and security and medical reports.
2023-12-28 17:21:00
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