Lebanese government to prioritise ceasefire efforts amid Israeli escalation

Iran to support 'any decision taken' by Beirut, senior adviser to supreme leader says

A building is hit in an Israeli strike on Tayouneh, Beirut. Israel has escalated attacks on Lebanon. AP

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Lebanon's government is prioritising efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday, as he welcomed visiting senior Iranian officials.

His comments came as Israel escalated its ground offensive in the country and maintained its bombardment of Beirut's southern suburbs and Hezbollah-controlled areas, as well as conducting strikes on areas that are not linked to the Iran-backed group.

He spoke during a visit by Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr Mikati emphasised the importance of implementing the UN resolution “and not taking positions that generate sensitivities among any Lebanese group or serve the interests of one group at the expense of the other".

"The Lebanese government gives priority to stopping the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, reaching a ceasefire and implementing Resolution 1701 in its entirety, without any amendments or interpretations that differ from the content and provisions of the resolution,” he said, a possible reference to reports that Israel aims to add new ceasefire terms.

A major point of contention in the ceasefire talks is Israel’s demand to remain free to act, should Hezbollah breach any agreement. Lebanon has rejected that demand, saying it breaches the country's sovereignty. “Contacts are ongoing in this regard with the aim of reaching an understanding,” Mr Mikati said.

Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, called for a complete end to hostilities and stipulated that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers could operate between the Israeli border and Lebanon’s Litani River. The resolution also permits only the Lebanese army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon to possess weapons and military equipment in the region, ensuring the full sovereignty of the Lebanese state.

Mr Larijani said Iran would support “any decision taken” by the Lebanese government.

Israel has engaged in diplomatic efforts by the US and Russia towards ending the conflict. Washington and Israeli officials said those efforts showed promise, even as Israel intensified its bombardment this week.

The US ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, on Thursday submitted a draft truce proposal to the country’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is endorsed by Hezbollah to negotiate, Reuters reported. But Lebanon has not yet commented on the proposal officially.

Lebanese officials have remained committed to the resolution as they attempt to negotiate the end of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. A year of cross-border fighting has escalated into a full war, with Israel launching a ground invasion that it says aims to eradicate Hezbollah's capabilities and secure the return of tens of thousands of its citizens in northern Israel.

Hezbollah has increased rocket attacks into Israel and its fighters have been battling against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,386 people since October last year, with the vast majority killed in the Israeli offensive that began in late September, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.

Israel said Hezbollah attacks have killed about 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the occupied Golan Heights and southern Lebanon in the past year. That number is disputed by Hezbollah, which claims Israel conceals its military losses.