Russia slams pager blasts in Lebanon as 'new type of terrorist act'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 2024 13:22
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Russia has voiced significant concern regarding the escalating situation in Lebanon, as articulated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova attends Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's annual news conference in Moscow, on Jan. 18, 2023. (AP)

Russia has expressed concern over the situation in Lebanon, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stating on Friday that the mass detonation of pagers represents a new form of terrorist act and a misuse of technology.

"This is a completely new type of terrorist act, which combines both such a scale and such an application of new technologies, seemingly of a civilian nature, but used for terrorist purposes," Zakharova explained during a briefing, noting that Moscow is troubled by the recent developments.

"Given the scale and potential consequences of the unfolding events, we are deeply concerned by dangerous developments in the Republic of Lebanon. I reiterate, on September 19, Israeli aviation carried out a series of mass strikes on a number of districts in south Lebanon. Earlier, during two days, literally in a row, on September 17 and 18, Lebanon was hit by unprecedented terrorist cyberattacks," the diplomat stressed.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed confidence that a large-scale military operation in Lebanon would have devastating effects on the security of the entire Middle East, emphasizing the need to prevent such a catastrophic scenario.

Zakharova reiterated the urgent call for all involved parties to exercise maximum restraint and cease hostilities, stating their readiness to collaborate closely with regional and international partners to reduce tensions and stabilize the military and political situation.

The diplomat also expressed Russia’s solidarity with the people of Lebanon, stating, "We commiserate with the families of those killed. We wish the swiftest recovery to those wounded. And once again, we highlight the importance of establishing all the circumstances of the incidents."

Lebanon blasts must be thoroughly investigated: Russian Duma speaker

In a related context, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin considered on Thursday that the explosions of various devices in Lebanon require a comprehensive investigation, urging international bodies to devise measures to combat such crimes.

Volodin warned on his Telegram channel that the meticulously planned, high-tech attack could have serious global repercussions. He highlighted that the use of ordinary gadgets as explosive devices necessitates "an appropriate investigation."

The Russian official warned that the potential for mass production of "such ‘weapons’ takes terrorism to a new level."

"This is a global threat to all countries. International structures must develop measures against such crimes. Otherwise, no one will feel safe," he underlined.

This comes after pagers exploded simultaneously on Tuesday across Lebanon and Syria and a new set of bombs—hidden in walkie-talkies—detonated on Wednesday in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.

The total death toll from these terrorist attacks has now reached at least 37, including a 9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, with over 3,000 individuals injured.

Doctors at a hospital in Beirut reported that many of the injured had suffered eye loss and required limb amputations. The detonating walkie-talkies ignited more than 70 fires in homes and businesses across Lebanon and damaged over a dozen vehicles.