Mikati, Berri, Jumblatt condemn Israeli aggression, call for ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
3 Oct 2024 06:12

Leaders of Lebanon called for an immediate ceasefire, reiterating the country's commitment to UNSC resolution 1701.

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The national flag flies at half-staff over the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 9, 2022. (AP)

Lebanon caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and former minister and Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, met on Wednesday and announced their condemnation of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and the need for an immediate ceasefire.

Mikati and Berri held a series of talks with international partners and Lebanese officials and politicians amid the intense Israeli aggression on Lebanon.

The caretaker prime minister read out a joint final statement of the congregated Lebanese leaders, saying that Lebanon, including all of its political parties and entities, has agreed to condemn the Israeli aggression on the country.

He said that the three leaders discussed the "fateful" developments in Lebanon.

The caretaker minister emphasized the importance of Lebanese unity in facing Israeli aggression and their national solidarity, especially in fulfilling the duty of supporting displaced families from the South, Beirut's southern suburbs, and the Bekaa. He also praised the government’s efforts in this area.

Mikati called on the international community and organizations to "take on their moral and legal responsibilities and respond to the support plan proposed by the government’s emergency committee as quickly as possible," in light of "Israel's insistence on prolonging the aggression against Lebanon."

The caretaker prime minister reaffirmed "Lebanon's commitment to the call issued during the meetings held at the United Nations General Assembly by the United States, France, the European Union, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Germany, Australia, Canada, and Italy."

In this context, the statement called for an "immediate ceasefire and the implementation of the steps that the Lebanese government has committed to in order to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including deploying the Lebanese army to the area south of the Litani River to carry out its duties in coordination with the UN peacekeeping forces in the South."