Russian Middle East envoy urges restraint amid growing Israeli-Hezbollah tension

By Wassim Seif El Din

BEIRUT (AA) - Russian foreign minister's special envoy to Middle East, Vladimir Safronkov, on Friday urged restraint amid growing tension between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Safronkov made the statement during his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut during which they discussed the situation in southern Lebanon, Gaza war and the stalled peace process, according to a statement by Mikati's office.

The Russian envoy called on all parties (Hezbollah, Israel, and Hamas) to exercise restraint and revive the peace process.

He also met with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Fears have grown about a full-blown war between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group amid an exchange of cross-border attacks between the two sides.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed more than 38,800 victims since October, following an attack by Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar