Lebanese Prime Minister Calls on UN for Stronger Action to Prevent Israeli Targeting of Civilians

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has criticized Israel for targeting civilians in Lebanon and urged the UN Security Council to implement more effective and decisive measures to address these attacks.

Mikati emphasized the need for a “swift and strong” response from the Security Council during a meeting with foreign ambassadors, as reported by the Lebanese Council of Ministers and Xinhua news agency. His call follows an incident in which three civil defense personnel were killed by an Israeli airstrike while attempting to extinguish a fire in Wadi Froun, southern Lebanon.

In his statement, Mikati expressed gratitude to the Security Council for extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and maintaining stability in the region. He urged the Council to take responsibility for upholding international law and security by holding those accountable for targeting Lebanese civilians.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib added that all ambassadors supported the protection of civilians, referencing international laws from Geneva that safeguard civilians, including journalists and civil defense teams. Bou Habib also conveyed Lebanon’s readiness for indirect negotiations with Israel to achieve a ceasefire.

Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group involved in the conflict, does not have the authority to accept or reject a ceasefire, according to Bou Habib. The decision rests with the Lebanese state, which will then attempt to persuade Hezbollah to comply.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border heightened on October 8, 2023, after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of Hamas’ recent attack, prompting Israeli retaliation with heavy artillery on southeastern Lebanon.