Turkish FM in Beirut in bid to stop war from spreading to Lebanon
Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakkan Fidan, who arrived in Beirut Tuesday, told reporters after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas “might lead to greater wars.”
“We are doing all we can so that the war does not spread to Lebanon and other countries," Fidan said at a news conference in Beirut, alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib.
Fidan also said that his country had been in touch with Hamas over some 200 Israeli and foreign captives it is holding in Gaza, following requests from several governments.
There are fears that Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the region may escalate the fight with Israel to support Hamas in case of a ground incursion into Gaza. So far, artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel have been limited to several towns along the border.
Israel has threatened that if Hezbollah opens a new front, all of Lebanon will suffer the consequences.
The escalating rhetoric between Hezbollah and Israel has led to a scramble of diplomacy aimed at heading off a larger conflict.
Fidan also met with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the two discussed the situation in the south and in Gaza.
Source: Associated Press
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