Salam Assured that Hizbullah-Israel Clash Would not Lead to War
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has received assurances from Arab and Western diplomats that the clashes which took place between Israel and Hizbullah following an attack on an Israeli military convoy would not lead to a full-fledged war.
Salam's visitors were quoted as saying on Thursday that the Prime Minister, who made contacts with the diplomats after the clashes, received guarantees that the international community will exert every effort to preserve stability in Lebanon.
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag, U.S. Ambassador David Hale and British Ambassador Tom Fletcher told Salam that the clashes would not go out of control.
Hizbullah fired a salvo of missiles at an Israeli military convoy near the disputed Shebaa Farms area on Wednesday, killing two soldiers and triggering deadly clashes that marked the most serious escalation since the 2006 war between them.
The flare-up left a U.N. peacekeeper dead.
Hizbullah indicated the attack was in retaliation for the deadly Israeli air strike on its fighters in the area of Quneitra on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights on January 18.
In the aftermath of Wednesday's clashes, Salam called on the international community to restrain Israel from carrying out attacks against Lebanon.
He also stressed that the government was committed to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war.
Information Minister Ramzi Jreij told al-Liwaa daily that the cabinet is expected to adopt Salam's statement during a session on Thursday.
“Salam's statement does not need further explanation,” the minister said.
The premier made the necessary contacts with officials, he said, adding “the ministers will be united during today's cabinet session.”
Jreij stressed that opinions expressed by cabinet ministers are their personal viewpoints and do not represent the government's stance.
“We should be cautious because Israel could make unexpected attacks,” he said.
G.K.
H.K.
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