Turkey, Russia, China condemn Israel's incursion
Turkey condemned the Israeli ground forces’ incursion into southern Lebanon on Tuesday, labeling it an “unlawful invasion attempt” and demanding an immediate cessation of the offensive and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry warned that the incursion jeopardizes the security and stability of countries in and out of the region, heightening the risk of a new wave of migration and the resurgence of extremist groups. The statement said countries that provide political support and arms to Israel would also be affected.
“The U.N. Security Council must uphold international law and take necessary measures against this assault aimed at occupying Lebanon. Every crime committed by Israel is also a blow to international law and the U.N. Charter,” the statement said.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned Israel's ground operation into Lebanon and urged the United Nations and other international organizations especially to stop Israel without "wasting any more time".
"Whatever it does, Israel will be stopped sooner or later," Erdogan told the Turkish parliament at the opening of the legislative year.
Russia also urged Israel to "immediately" pull its troops out of southern Lebanon on Tuesday, after the Israeli military said it began a "limited" raids against Hezbollah militants in the area.
"Russia strongly condemns the attack on Lebanon and calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw their troops from Lebanese territory and engage in a real search for peaceful ways to resolve the Middle East conflict," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
China for its part said it opposed "infringements on Lebanon's sovereignty".
"China... opposes infringements on Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes any actions that exacerbate conflicts and lead to a further escalation of the regional situation," a foreign ministry statement said.
Source: Associated Press
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