Mikati meets German FM amid fears of escalation

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met Wednesday with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the Grand Serail, as increasing cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and the Israeli resumed in the south.

Mikati told Baerbock that Lebanon respects all international resolutions in order to achieve permanent stability in the south, while Baerbock stressed the need to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

"The time has come for a permanent and just solution to the Palestinian issue," Mikati added, calling for a ceasefire and for international efforts for a final and comprehensive two-state solution.

Since the Gaza war started, fears have grown of an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran-backed armed groups, especially Lebanon's Hezbollah but also groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Escalating tensions have prompted a succession of Western diplomats to converge on Beirut to urge restraint and discuss potential solutions -- including land border talks.

In a meeting on Tuesday with U.N. chief of peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country was "ready for talks to achieve long-term stability in south Lebanon".

The three months of cross-border violence have killed more than 185 people in Lebanon, including 140 Hezbollah fighters and more than 20 civilians including three journalists, according to an AFP tally.

In northern Israel, nine soldiers and at least four civilians have been killed, according to Israeli authorities.