Lebanon seeks Pakistan’s cooperation to halt Israeli attacks

Expressing gratitude for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s peace initiatives, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday sought Pakistan’s support in securing an immediate end to the Israeli attacks targeting Lebanon and its people.

According to the PM Office, PM Shehbaz held a telephonic conversation with the Lebanese prime minister, during which he strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression against Lebanon and expressed grief over the loss of thousands of precious lives.

During the call, the premier stated that Pakistan remains sincerely engaged in efforts to bolster regional peace. He highlighted that, in line with this commitment, peace negotiations between Iran and the United States are currently being hosted.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact to monitor the evolving situation.

In a statement issued by the Lebanese PM’s office, Salam asked his Pakistani counterpart on Thursday to confirm Lebanon’s inclusion in the Iran war ceasefire, a day after Israeli strikes on the country killed more than 200 people.

Salam’s office said he phoned Shehbaz, praising Islamabad’s efforts in securing the truce and asking him to “confirm that the ceasefire includes Lebanon to prevent a recurrence of the Israeli attacks witnessed yesterday”.

READ MORE: Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 112, wound 837

Israel and the US have said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, with Israel announcing it would continue its attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the regional war on March 2.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned that Tehran sees Lebanon as an “inseparable part of the ceasefire” and threatened “strong responses”, coinciding with mounting international calls for Lebanon to be encompassed in the truce.