Lebanon Condemns Israeli Escalation, Says Hizbullah Operation Didn't Violate Blue Line
Prime Minister Tammam Salam condemned Wednesday Israel's military escalation in south Lebanon, as the Foreign Ministry noted that a deadly Hizbullah attack on Israeli troops in the occupied Shebaa Farms did not violate the Blue Line that was demarcated by the U.N. following the 2006 war.
In a statement, Salam stated that “the Israeli escalation on the border with Lebanon after the Shebaa operation might pave the way for dangerous possibilities that do not serve peace and stability in the region.”
"Lebanon is committed to (U.N. Security Council) Resolution 1701, and it lauds the efforts of the UNIFIL peacekeepers who lost a member of the Spanish contingent,” he added.
Salam said “Lebanon urges the international community to rein in the hostile intentions of Israel, which is gambling with the security and stability of the region.”
The prime minister also stressed that “Lebanon stands united behind the legitimate armed forces that are tasked with defending its land, security, and people.”
Salam urged the Lebanese “to stay united in these hard times during which we are facing the threat of an enemy that might do anything.”
He also called UNIFIL chief in south Lebanon General Luciano Portolano and offered his condolences over the death of a member of the Spanish brigade in the Israeli retaliatory shelling of south Lebanon.
Earlier on Wednesday, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's shelling of Lebanese territory, saying it “was a response to an operation that was launched from the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms that lie outside of the Blue Line.”
The ministry also stressed Lebanon's commitment to UNSCR 1701.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded earlier on Wednesday in a Hizbullah attack on a military convoy in the occupied Shebaa Farms.
The Israeli army announced that two of its troops were killed, while a spokesman said seven soldiers were “lightly-to-moderately wounded” in the attack.
The attack prompted Israel to shell areas in southern Lebanon in a significant escalation along the volatile border.
Hizbullah said in its claim of responsibility that it targeted several vehicles transporting officers and soldiers with missiles to avenge the Israeli raid on Syria's Quneitra that killed six of its fighters and a top Iranian general.
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