The Lebanese government is working to restore peace on its southern border, where exchanges of fire are occurring between Israeli forces and the Shiite militia Hezbollah. Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated this during a press conference in Beirut after meeting with Amos Hochstein, Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Advisor for Energy Security at the State Department.
"Lebanon does not seek military escalation and demands an end to the ongoing Israeli aggression to return to peace and stability on the southern border," the prime minister declared.
He dismissed recent hostile threats against Lebanon made by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Israel should stop violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, which involves the killing of civilians and destruction," - Mikati emphasized. - "For us and for all friends of Lebanon, the priority now is finding ways to quickly resolve the conflict situation at the border."
Hochstein noted that he had productive talks in Beirut. "We are at a critical moment and are working together with the Lebanese government on developing a diplomatic solution that will restore stability on the Lebanese-Israeli border," he stated.
Hochstein's urgent visit, serving as a mediator in negotiations on border issues between Lebanon and Israel, is part of a critical effort. He is discussing conditions for both parties to resume adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the conflict in southern Lebanon in 2006. On June 17, he visited Israel for talks with its political leadership as part of the Biden administration's efforts to end the military confrontation in the Middle East.
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Based on TASS materials