Russia condemns assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Saturday strongly condemned the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel, warning "dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East."

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel deliberately targeted Nasrallah, realizing the inevitability of the escalation because of such actions, and therefore bears full responsibility for the consequences.

"We strongly condemn another political assassination committed by Israel. This military action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East. The Israeli side well realized this, but nevertheless took such a step – committed the murder of Lebanese citizens, which will almost inevitably provoke a new outbreak of violence. Thus, Israel bears full responsibility for the subsequent escalation," the ministry stressed.

It urged Israel to immediately cease hostilities, a necessity for creating conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement.

"In the current volatile situation, responsible members of the world community must do everything in their power to prevent the region from plunging into a full-scale armed confrontation," it emphasized.

Earlier in the day, Hezbollah confirmed the killing of Nasrallah in a massive air attack on a densely populated neighborhood of Beirut on Friday evening.

Besides the onslaught on Gaza, Israel continues its extensive air raids in Lebanon that have killed hundreds and displaced many others this week.