Blinken Warns Lebanon of Consequences of Being Drawn into War

The U.S. State Department announced today, Saturday, that Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati of the necessity to respect the interests of his people, who will be affected if the country becomes embroiled in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese people and noted the increasing concern regarding the escalating tensions along Lebanon's southern border. He stressed again the "importance of respecting the interests of the Lebanese people, who will be affected by Lebanon's entanglement in the conflict sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel." He expressed "condolences to the families of Lebanese civilians who tragically lost their lives as a result of the conflict," and emphasized continued U.S. support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, the only legitimate guarantors of Lebanon's stability and territorial integrity. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reported that the call took place yesterday, Friday. In a statement, Miller noted that Blinken also reinforced U.S. support for the Lebanese people and highlighted the growing concern about the rising tensions on Lebanon’s southern border.