Lebanon counts on friendly nations to stop Israeli aggression

Lebanon is depending on the support of friendly countries to stop the ongoing Israeli escalation and to enforce decisions that assert full sovereignty, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Friday. Speaking by phone with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al‑Khulaifi, Raggi stressed that Lebanon also needs help to restrict weapons to legitimate state forces across all its territory. He expressed “deep gratitude and appreciation” to Qatar for its sincere sentiments.

Qatar’s Support and Regional Context

Al‑Khulaifi affirmed Qatar’s continued support for Lebanon and voiced Doha’s rejection of the ongoing Israeli attacks, condemning strikes on civilians. Qatar has sent a plane carrying medical aid, which arrived in Beirut on Friday. The phone call comes as Israel presses ahead with airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, following a cross‑border attack by Hezbollah on 2 March, despite a ceasefire that had taken effect in November 2024.

Türkiye’s Position and Upcoming Talks

Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and called for an immediate halt to the bloodshed, warning that the escalation threatens regional stability. A US State Department official confirmed to Anadolu that Washington will host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon next week as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The expected dialogue follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday of a two‑week ceasefire with Iran, based on what he called a “workable” 10‑point Iranian proposal.