Lebanese govt making utmost efforts to confront 'destructive war': PM

BEIRUT  -- The Lebanese government is "doing its utmost" to confront the "destructive and hateful war" that Israel is waging against the country, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Mikati accused Israel of "being treacherous and planning more massacres" at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The prime minister said Israel shrugged off appeals for a ceasefire at the UN because "it does not care about law or international legitimacy."

Mikati called on the Lebanese people to "stand united in the face of aggression," stressing that his government, with all its civil, military, security, health, and humanitarian departments, "continues to carry out duty in cooperation with citizens."

Mikati visited New York for negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire and ending the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The prime minister decided late on Friday to cut short his visit following devastating Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, during which Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed.

Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply escalated after the latter announced a shift in military focus from the Gaza Strip to the northern front, aiming to expel Hezbollah forces from its border with Lebanon to ensure the safe home return of its northern residents.

Since Oct 8, 2023, Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel along the Lebanon-Israel border to show its support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The protracted conflict has already caused heavy casualties and displaced tens of thousands on both sides.