The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, instructed the Deputy Permanent Representative in New York, Jan Mourad, to deliver the complaint letter that the ministry addressed on behalf of the Lebanese government to both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council. Lebanon warned in its letter about the seriousness of recent developments in the region, particularly in the villages located in southern Lebanon. It emphasized its commitment to defuse tensions and called for calming sentiments, holding Israel responsible for the repercussions of any escalation that could ignite the situation on the southern Lebanese border.
While reaffirming its commitment to a policy of restraint, stemming from its awareness of the importance of stability and calm, and its steadfast commitment to meeting its international obligations, Lebanon condemned the attacks carried out by Israel early Friday on areas in southern Lebanon, which jeopardized civilian lives and the safety of Lebanese territory. Lebanon considered these actions as acts of aggression, citing a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, a threat to the stability that southern Lebanon enjoyed, a blatant breach of Security Council Resolution 1701, and a threat to international peace and security.
Lebanon reiterated its rejection of using its territory as a platform to undermine existing stability while retaining its legitimate right to self-defense. It reaffirmed that maintaining open lines of communication with the United Nations and UNIFIL forces is the optimal way to resolve issues and maintain calm and stability. Lebanon expressed its readiness for ongoing cooperation with peacekeeping forces to implement Security Council Resolution 1701 and its commitment to calm and stability in southern Lebanon.
On another note, Lebanon warned of the dangers and repercussions of provocative Israeli practices in Jerusalem, the desecration of sacred places, and the unjustified use of excessive force in places of worship against worshippers. It also condemned Israel's refusal to comply with the Security Council and the international community's calls to refrain from taking escalatory actions during this year's concurrent religious holidays for the three Abrahamic faiths, as Israel’s aggressive actions have exacerbated the security situation on the ground and created a climate of tension in the region in general.
Lebanon demanded in its letter that the Security Council and the international community condemn the Israeli aggression in the strongest terms, compel Israel to cease its violations of Lebanese sovereignty by air, sea, and land, halt its ongoing threats to undermine peace and security, and fulfill all its obligations under Resolution 1701.
