Lebanon eager to stay out of Gaza conflict: minister
All factions in Lebanon”s governing coalition, including Shiite militant group Hezbollah, are keen not to get dragged into another conflict with Israel, at least for now, Information Minister Tarek Mitri said on Monday.
"This expression of solidarity, of a unified position, of an emphasis on stability … is tantamount to saying that Lebanon as a country of many factions doesn”t want to see itself dragged into this conflict," Mitri told reporters.
"We have not received from Hezbollah any sign that they will risk dragging Lebanon into this conflict," Mitri said as Israel”s deadly onslaught against Gaza entered its 10th day.
There have been fears that the conflict could spill over with another front opening up in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah fought a devastating war with Israel in 2006.
But Mitri played down such a scenario saying that the Lebanese government, in which Hezbollah is represented, has made it clear it does not want another war with its neighbour.
"The stakes are high in Lebanon and I think the population in the south doesn”t want another conflict," he said. "There is consensus in Lebanon that there is no interest for Lebanon to have another war in the south."
He warned, however, that if the conflict in Gaza drags on and casualties mount, there could be an escalation.
"The more there is a delay for the international community to act, the more there is anger and radicalisation of hearts and minds which could lead to a spillover of the violence," Mitri said. "Whether this would lead Hezbollah to react, I don”t know."
He added that Lebanon”s 12 refugee camps, which house the vast majority of the 400,000 Palestinians living in the country, had also shown restraint so far.
"There is anger and natural solidarity with the people of Gaza but the expressions of anger have not been expressions that threaten stability in the camps or the country," he said.
Mitri emphasised that Lebanon had called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and warned that a humanitarian crisis was in the making for the tiny territory”s 1.5 million strong population.
"The people in Gaza have been for long victims of occupation and blockade and now they are victims of (this) assault," he said.
At least 523 people have died in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive on December 27, according to Palestinian medics. Three Israeli civilians and two soldiers have died.