Lebanese official: Beirut won't be dragged into war with Israel
Lebanese Minister of Information says country will not enter conflict with Israel, saying 'Lebanon has no interest in living a new war in the south'. Minister adds Hizbullah agrees with this position
Lebanon will not be dragged into another war with Israel and Hizbullah agrees with this position, Lebanese Minister of Information Tarek Mitri, said Monday.
"Lebanon does not want to be dragged into this conflict (in Gaza)... and we have received no evidence indicating that Hizbullah might engage the country in this war," he added.
According to the Mitri, the Lebanese government has already "stressed the importance of unity among the Lebanese and stability" in the country.
"Hizbullah agrees with this position. We have not heard the minister of Hizbullah (in government) say the opposite," he continued.
Until now, Hizbullah, which, like Hamas, advocates the fight against Israel and that Washington considers a "terrorist organization", has increased the rhetoric in support of the Palestinian Islamist movement, without mentioning a possible military support.
"I do not think the population in the south (of Lebanon) wants a new conflict. There is a consensus on the fact that Lebanon has no interest in living a new war in the south," insisted Mitri.
However, he warned against the possibility of an escalation in the event of conflict would be more casualties among the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.
"The more the international community is slow to act, the more anger and minds are radicalized, leading to more violence," he warned.
