Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit (R, front) meets with Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 21, 2024. Aboul-Gheit here on Monday urged an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
BEIRUT, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit here on Monday urged an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
"I support the Lebanese people, the Lebanese state and the Lebanese government and call for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories of southern Lebanon, non-interference in Lebanon, an end to the random killings that are taking place, and a return to the immediate implementation of Resolution 1701," Aboul-Gheit said following his meeting with Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
The displaced Lebanese must be allowed to return to their houses in southern Lebanon, which "requires obtaining guarantees from Israel that it will not confront or attack the Lebanese people and stop this random killing," he said.
"We call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and provide broad, strong and immediate humanitarian support. Lebanon cannot be left in this ordeal," he added.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has launched an intensive air attack on Lebanon, marking a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah.
Israel intensified its raids and shelling in southern and eastern regions of Lebanon, as well as Mount Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Earlier this month, Israel announced the launch of a ground operation near the border with southern Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, since October 2023, clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have resulted in more than 2,400 deaths and over 11,000 injuries.
On Monday alone, at least 20 people were killed and several others were injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern, eastern and northern parts of the country, according to the official National News Agency. ■
