Lebanese president warns regional tensions could spiral into wider escalation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned Thursday that the region faces “very significant” challenges, expressing hope they would not lead to escalation or an “explosion.” Aoun made the warning while chairing a Cabinet session at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. “The challenges facing the region are very significant, and I hope their course will not lead toward escalation or explosion,” Aoun said. He urged parties in Lebanon to “exercise wisdom, awareness and restraint” to shield the country from the impact of regional developments, noting that Lebanon is already suffering from difficult economic conditions. “This requires everyone, ministers and political officials, to act wisely to spare Lebanon any upheaval the region may witness,” he added. His remarks come amid Western media reports about US and Israeli preparations for a large-scale attack on Iran, with uncertainty surrounding its timing, as Israeli Knesset elections are scheduled for Oct. 27 and US midterm elections for Nov. 3. Separately, Aoun renewed Lebanon’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks against the Kingdom in recent months amid intensified fighting between the group and Yemeni government forces. Aoun also thanked Qatar for its efforts to assist Lebanon in the energy sector, according to the statement. On Oct. 16, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced a comprehensive framework for energy cooperation with Lebanon. The framework includes a major investment project aimed at supporting Lebanon’s economic stability and providing long-term solutions to its chronic electricity shortages.
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