VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has joined nine other countries in blaming Hezbollah for a surge in violence in Lebanon, as tensions escalate between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
In a joint statement issued through the EU’s diplomatic service, foreign ministers said responsibility for the latest escalation “lies with Hezbollah,” condemning its missile attacks on Israel and urging an immediate halt.
Three peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed in two separate explosions in recent days. A UN source said at least one blast may have been caused by an Israeli tank, a claim Israel denies. Malta has five soldiers deployed with UNIFIL alongside Irish forces.
The joint declaration was signed by Malta, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Austria and Ireland did not endorse the statement.
EU ministers warned against further escalation, urging Israel to avoid a ground invasion and stressing that Lebanon’s territorial integrity must be respected.
They also called for renewed dialogue between Israel and Lebanon and backed efforts to strengthen Lebanese state institutions.
The ministers further condemned recent attacks on UN peacekeepers, urging all sides to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel in line with international law.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
