Lebanese FM urges Western pressure on Israel to stop aggression

BEIRUT, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) — Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib urged Western countries on Friday to pressure Israel to stop its aggression and reduce the escalation in Lebanon, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.
Bou Habib made these remarks during a phone call with his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
He emphasized the necessity of halting the Israeli aggression on Gaza, describing it as the key to calming the situation in southern Lebanon, stopping Israeli attacks, and preventing the conflict from escalating into a comprehensive regional war.
For his part, the Brazilian foreign minister stated that “Israel seeks to escalate with Lebanon and Iran because it does not want to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”
“Brazil will continue to work and consult closely with the Lebanese government to achieve a ceasefire in southern Lebanon,” he added.
A state of anticipation and caution prevails in Lebanon following Israel’s killing of Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shokor. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has threatened retaliation. ■