Mikati: Lebanon Keen to Steer Clear of Repercussions of Escalation in Palestinian Territories

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meets with Army Commander Joseph Aoun at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday. (Dalati & Nohra)
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meets with Army Commander Joseph Aoun at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday. (Dalati & Nohra)
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Mikati: Lebanon Keen to Steer Clear of Repercussions of Escalation in Palestinian Territories

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meets with Army Commander Joseph Aoun at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday. (Dalati & Nohra)
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meets with Army Commander Joseph Aoun at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday. (Dalati & Nohra)

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed on Monday that Beirut was keen on steering clear of the repercussions of the escalation in the Palestinian territories.

His remarks were the first official statements since Hezbollah fired rockets towards the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms on Sunday.

He stressed that the government’s priority was to preserve security and stability in the South and commit to United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

A statement from his press office said the PM held local, Arab and international contacts to stress his government’s position and the need for calm to be maintained along the Blue Line that borders Israel.

He also demanded an end to the constant Israeli violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.

“Friendly and fraternal countries underlined their keenness on keeping Lebanon away from the explosive situation in the Palestinian territories,” added the statement.

Fortifying Lebanon against these regional developments demands the immediate election of a new president of the republic and an end to the current political tensions, it continued.

“The threat to Lebanon would not target one segment of society or one political movement, but it will have dangerous repercussions on all the people and the situation in the country as a whole,” Mikati said according to the statement.

“Given the regional tensions, it is no longer acceptable for internal divisions and tensions to persist,” he added, calling an end to incitement and stressing the need for unity as Lebanon and the region wade through “one of the most dangerous phases” they have ever seen.

Moreover, he remarked that the developments in the Palestinian territories were an “inevitable culmination of the Israeli enemy’s policies towards the Palestinian people,” who are demanding their legitimate rights.

The first step towards the solution to the conflict lies with the international community assuming its responsibilities in pressuring Israel to return to peace based on the Arab peace initiative that was declared from Beirut in 2002, he went on to say.

Anything other than this will continue the cycle of violence that benefits no one, he warned.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib echoed Mikati’s comments, saying: “We don’t want Lebanon to become embroiled in the war.”

The PM is carrying out several contacts to that end, he added after talks with Mikati. “All international powers are also urging us to refrain from becoming dragged to war and this is also Lebanon’s position.”

He said he briefed Mikati on the Arab League meeting that will be held in Cairo to discuss the situation in Gaza.

Mikati also met on Monday with Army Commander Joseph Aoun to discuss the security situation.



Hezbollah Launches Dozens of Rockets at Northern Israel

Projectiles fired from the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system to intercept missiles fired from southern Lebanon, over the upper Galilee, northern Israel, early 04 August 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Projectiles fired from the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system to intercept missiles fired from southern Lebanon, over the upper Galilee, northern Israel, early 04 August 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
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Hezbollah Launches Dozens of Rockets at Northern Israel

Projectiles fired from the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system to intercept missiles fired from southern Lebanon, over the upper Galilee, northern Israel, early 04 August 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Projectiles fired from the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system to intercept missiles fired from southern Lebanon, over the upper Galilee, northern Israel, early 04 August 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Hezbollah said it had bombarded northern Israel late on Saturday with “dozens of Katyusha rockets” in response to Israeli attacks that hit civilians in southern Lebanon.
Concerns are rising in Lebanon about an outbreak of a war between Hezbollah and Israel amid regional tension.
In a statement, Hezbollah said: “In response to the enemy’s attacks on the southern villages... particularly the attacks on the villages of Kfar Kila and Deir Siryan and the injury of civilians'', it targeted a new area, “Beit Hillel”, in northern Israel with “dozens of Katyusha rockets”.
The Israeli enemy said that Hezbollah launched about 30 rockets from Lebanon at the Galilee region late last night.
According to the Times of Israel on Sunday, Israel said the Iron Dome air defense system intercepted most of those rockets, but one of them fell on the northern town of Beit Hillel, and several other rockets landed in open areas.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets have in response targeted the rocket launcher used in the attack in the town of Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, as well as other Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.
The Israeli army also stated that it shelled the area of Adaysseh with artillery.