Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, the Commander-in-Chief of The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), on Friday to address the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the challenges faced by the international forces in the region.
During the meeting, Mikati highlighted the recent escalation of Israeli attacks, specifically the renewed heavy strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, noting that Israel’s repeated threats to evacuate entire towns and villages “confirm Israel’s rejection of all efforts to cease fire in preparation for the full implementation of Resolution 1701.”
Mikati had previously expressed cautious optimism for a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah “in the coming hours or days,” as he declared on local television channel al-Jadeed on Wednesday evening.
This optimism was linked to the anticipated return of United States Special Envoy Amos Hochstein, who was expected to finalize a ceasefire proposal on Thursday. However, Hochstein’s efforts to reach a diplomatic solution did not yield results.
Reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to UN Resolution 1701, Mikati remarked, “The Israeli statements and diplomatic indications received by Lebanon confirm Israel’s intransigence in rejecting proposed solutions and insisting on a path of killing and destruction. This places the entire international community in front of its historical and moral responsibilities to stop this aggression.”
The prime minister also condemned the Israeli attacks on UNIFIL personnel, stating, “The commitment of Lebanon's friendly nations to ensuring UNIFIL’s continued work in the south is commendable.”
He expressed Lebanon’s gratitude for UNIFIL’s efforts during this difficult period, asserting, “We appreciate UNIFIL’s commitment to its role in the south and its cooperation with the Lebanese Army, which is crucial for maintaining stability.”
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