Beirut, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna urged on Monday the Lebanese authorities to do everything in their power to avoid Lebanon's sliding into war.
After her meetings with Lebanese officials on the sidelines of a regional tour, Colonna told reporters that no group should take advantage of the situation, stressing that Lebanese officials have a responsibility in this regard to prevent Lebanon from being drawn into a spiral of violence of which it will not be able to come out, explaining that the visit's main reason is to avoid a flare-up that could threaten the entire region.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said upon meeting Colonna on Monday that the government is in contact with internal and external parties, in order to keep the situation in Lebanon as calm as possible, preventing Lebanon the repercussions of the ongoing war in Gaza.
Mikati explained that the Lebanese are entirely unity in solidarity with Palestine, however he said that no one has an interest in undertaking the risk of opening a front in southern Lebanon, because the Lebanese people are unable to bear it, given that the country is experiencing an unprecedented economic collapse for the past four years.
The Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister accused the Israeli occupation of doubling its provocation efforts, adding that questions are being asked on who is in charge of the decision on war and peace, with Mikati explaining that given current circumstances, Lebanon is working for peace, however the decision of war is in the hands of Israel.
The border area between Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories has witnessed an exchange of bombardments since October 7th. These border skirmishes resulted in the killing of more than ten people in Lebanon, and at least two people in the Israeli entity.
The Lebanese army announced earlier today that following an inspection of the border areas, it has found 20 missile launching pads, four of which carry missiles prepared for launch in southern Lebanon.
Source: Qatar News Agency