BEIRUT: Lebanon’s leaders reaffirmed neutrality amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran, emphasizing that the country must be shielded from the region’s rapidly deteriorating security crisis.
During a press conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said while he could not completely discount the risk of threats against foreign embassies on Lebanese soil, his government had already put the necessary security measures in place.
Just before the US-Israel strikes began, Israel carried out strikes on what it said was “Hezbollah infrastructure” in south Lebanon.
Salam, who convened an emergency Cabinet session to assess the fallout, moved swiftly to calm public anxiety. “We have long been taking all precautionary measures,” he said, urging Lebanese citizens not to panic.
He confirmed that supply lines by land, sea and air remained open, that Middle East Airlines continued to operate flights, and that essential goods — food, medicine and fuel — were stocked for at least two months. “There is no need for queuing or rushing to pharmacies, supermarkets or fuel stations,” he said.
