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Lebanon

Lebanon working to avoid entering Hamas-Israel war as clashes along its border escalate

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister said Monday he was working to ensure his country does not enter the Hamas-Israel war as clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border escalate

Smoke rises over a part of Lebanon, as seen from Israel's border, 30 October 2023.
Smoke rises over a part of Lebanon, as seen from Israel's border, 30 October 2023. © Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
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"I am doing my duty to prevent Lebanon from entering the war," Najib Mikati told the French AFP news agency, referring to Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza strip.

The Lebanese-based Hezbollah militant group and allied Palestinian factions in Lebanon have been exchanging fire with Israel almost daily since Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel, which prompted a retaliation by Israel on Gaza.

"Lebanon is in the eye of the storm," Mikati said.

"I cannot rule out an escalation because there is a race to reach a ceasefire before escalation spreads in the entire region."

The country faces the possibility of war without a leader and with lawmakers stuck in a political deadlock.

Mikati leads a caretaker government, because parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a successor to president Michel Aoun, whose mandate expired nearly a year ago. 

 

(with AFP)

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