BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 9 (UPI) -- Lebanese officials engaged Thursday in intensive diplomatic contacts to confirm the country's inclusion in the Pakistan-mediated U.S.-Iran cease-fire and refusing to let Tehran negotiate on their behalf.
The initiative comes a day after Israel carried out large-scale air strikes on Beirut and across Lebanon that killed more than 303 people and injured more than 1,150, according to Lebanese Health Ministry's latest count.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, during a telephone call to emphasize that the cease-fire achieved between the United States and Iran on Wednesday "must include Lebanon to prevent a recurrence of the Israeli aggressions."
Sharif condemned the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon and affirmed that Pakistan "is working to ensure peace and stability" in the country.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Western and Arab officials he had contacted to give his country "an opportunity -- just as was given to the United States and Iran -- to reach a cease-fire and move toward negotiations."
