‘We call on India to leverage its influence to urge Israel to respect international law’: Lebanese Ambassador to India

The existent concern reflects a prolonged calamity for the region, stemming from Israel’s decades-long concern and relentless aggression. Israel’s disregard for planetary law, its continued expansionism and its savage oppression of Palestinians person created a rhythm of unit that destabilises the region. Lebanon, which present suffers straight from Israeli attacks, understands the terms of this unchecked aggression. The refusal to code the basal causes — the occupation, the usurpation of Palestinian rights and the endless enlargement — ensures that genuine bid remains retired of reach. Lebanon stands resolute successful calling retired Israel’s transgressions and emphasises that bid cannot coexist with concern and oppression.

Do you deliberation determination is simply a solution? What is Beirut’s basal connected the two-state solution that New Delhi is besides advocating?

Lebanon has agelong supported the two-state solution arsenic a viable and conscionable way to peace, contempt Israel’s changeless rejection of this vision. Israel remains the lone federation globally to categorically contradict the two-state solution, defying the planetary statement and challenging UN resolutions. Lebanon affirms that without addressing the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood, Israel’s ongoing policies of onshore theft and displacement volition proceed to breed unrest and injustice. Beirut appreciates India’s steadfast committedness to this solution and urges the planetary assemblage to clasp Israel accountable for rejecting the morganatic way to peace.

What bash you deliberation of the relation India has played truthful far, oregon tin play going forward?

India’s affluent bequest of anti-colonial conflict and its committedness to justness and sovereignty marque it a captious dependable successful this conflict. Lebanon acknowledges India’s principled enactment for Palestinian rights, and we judge that India, arsenic a planetary leader, tin play a decisive relation successful advocating for an extremity to Israeli concern and oppression. We telephone connected India to leverage its power to impulse Israel to respect planetary instrumentality and UN resolutions. India’s enactment for a conscionable and peaceful solution is particularly captious successful these times, wherever Israel’s aggression threatens determination stability.

Have the leaders successful New Delhi and Beirut discussed the West Asian struggle successful the past 1 year?

Lebanon and India stay successful adjacent dialogue, peculiarly fixed Israel’s assertive actions that endanger determination peace. Our enactment values India’s knowing of the complexities astatine play and appreciates India’s balanced attack to addressing the basal causes of conflict, notably Israel’s occupation. Lebanon remains committed to deepening this dialog with India to enactment towards a shared goal: a peaceful and unchangeable West Asia escaped from aggression and expansionism.

How are the ties betwixt India and Lebanon progressing successful different fields? What are the areas of communal cooperation?

India and Lebanon stock a longstanding narration rooted successful communal respect and shared interests. Despite the challenges Lebanon faces owed to Israel’s aggression, our bilateral ties with India proceed to flourish successful areas respective cardinal areas including trade, exertion and education. Cultural exchanges betwixt our nations further fortify our partnership.

The West, adjacent the US, is present advocating for a ceasefire. Blinken is visiting Tel Aviv for talks. Do you deliberation it volition execute anything?

A ceasefire, portion urgently needed, is lone a impermanent measurement unless Israel’s concern and violations are straight addressed. Ceasefires are not solutions but pauses that Israel historically exploits to regroup and proceed its expansionist policies. Lebanon urges the United States and different influential countries to not lone enactment an contiguous ceasefire but besides to unit Israel to comply with planetary instrumentality and respect the rights of each radical successful the region. We anticipation these talks awesome a displacement toward holding Israel accountable for its actions and not simply enabling further aggression nether the guise of peace.

What astir the hostages? Has Lebanon discussed it with anyone successful Gaza/Hamas?

Thousands of Palestinians person been held hostage successful Israeli horrific prisons, detention camps and torture centres. We impulse planetary actors to negociate responsibly for the merchandise of the prisoners, and telephone for the world’s designation of the Israeli hypocrisy successful calling for hostage merchandise portion disregarding basal quality rights successful its concern and aggression.