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
Issued on:
"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.
- Iran urges 'resistance front' against Israel amid clashes on Lebanese border
- France warns Iran, Hezbollah to stay out of Israel-Hamas conflict
"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)
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe