Beirut/Prensa Latina
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Thursday that Lebanon does not want war, but has the right to defend itself and is capable of doing so.
Receiving the head of diplomacy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell, the Lebanese minister reminded the senior official that during his visit to the forces of the United Nations Interim Force in Naqoura he was able to witness “Israeli arrogance and aggressiveness against the country.
Speaking at the presidential headquarters in Ain al-Tineh, Berri stressed that the interim government is operating “in accordance with constitutional prerogatives, especially during the power vacuum in responding to the situation in the south.
The top figure in the legislature assured that they are working “seriously” to complete the process of electing the next president of the Republic, almost two years after the vacancy.
For his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reaffirmed the country’s “commitment to International Resolution 1701, adopted by the UN Security Council in August 2006.
The foreign minister stressed that security cannot be achieved through military solutions to the Palestinian conflict.
During a joint press conference with Borrell, Bou Habib urged the EU to play an active role in the issue of Syrian refugees.
Borrell described the war in Gaza as a “terrible tragedy” and condemned “the brutal murder of civilians.”
He also warned that this conflict represents “a constant threat to the stability of the region, especially Lebanon.”
The European diplomat also mentioned that “the drums of war have not stopped since his last visit to Lebanon” in January, and reiterated the need to reduce military tensions and urged all parties to follow this path.
As part of his tour in Beirut, the European High Representative held a meeting with the interim Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, who stressed the urgency of intensifying international pressure to stop the current Israeli aggression against the nation of cedars.
#Lebanon #reiterates #defend #Israeli #aggression
