Israel’s moves in disputed area are a challenge, provocation to Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of National Defense Maurice Sleem said on Sunday that “the moves made by Israel in the disputed area in southern Lebanon constitute a challenge and a provocation to Lebanon and a flagrant violation of the stability that the southern region of Lebanon enjoys.”

He added in a statement: “Once again, Israel denies all international laws and norms and is trying to create a fait accompli on the Lebanese borders, especially as it thwarts the efforts being made to resume negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime borders, in which the United States plays the mediating role, and which are being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.”

Minister Sleem called on the international community and the United Nations to “move quickly to put an end to the renewed Israeli practices, and to implement international resolutions to anticipate any security deterioration in southern Lebanon, which will have repercussions on stability in the region.”