Lebanon urges countries to show solidarity in face of war threats from Israel

By Stephanie Radi

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib urged countries on Friday to show solidarity with Lebanon in the face of Israeli threats to launch a war.

Bou Habib was commenting on countries that issued warnings in recent days to their nationals to leave or avoid travel to Lebanon amid tension with Israel.

He urged the countries to replace those statements that "causes concern among citizens and visitors (to Lebanon)," with solidarity statements that show them standing with Lebanon.

Bou Habib also encouraged the countries to intensify efforts to pressure Israel to stop its military assaults against Lebanon.

Amid growing tension between Israel and Lebanon, several countries, including Germany, Canada, North Macedonia, Netherlands, the US and others have urged their nationals to leave or avoid travel to Lebanon.

In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between the Israeli army and the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, raising concerns about a potential full-scale war following Tel Aviv’s recent approval of operational plans for a “wide-scale attack” against Lebanon.

Tensions have soared along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 37,700 victims since Oct. 7.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar