Lebanese Prime Minister: Israel has violated the ceasefire 60 times

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: "Najib Mikati," the Prime Minister of the interim government of Lebanon, discussed the recent developments related to the ceasefire file with the Zionist regime in a meeting of the country's Council of Ministers yesterday evening and said: A week has passed since the ceasefire and we are still witnessing its violation by Israel, and this regime has violated the ceasefire agreement more than 60 times so far.

Najib Mikati added: "Through contacts I had with the relevant countries, I learned that the United States and France are also eager to address this issue and implement the ceasefire. Therefore, the implementation of the ceasefire has been finalized over the past two days and we hope that it will lead to permanent stability; however, we fear and warn about violations that will return us to an atmosphere of anxiety.

The Lebanese official continued: "To all Lebanese returning to their homeland and regions, I say that the government is with you and guarantees your gracious return and will do its utmost to support your steadfastness. We also thank the friends of Lebanon for their efforts, support and assistance at all levels, and we hope for greater solidarity and interaction." He emphasized: "We call on all Lebanese to work with confidence, determination and high conviction to rebuild the country and assume their national responsibility. Our duty is to have the will and ability in our own country and to draw a vision to save the country." Regarding the election of the country's president, the Prime Minister of the interim government of Lebanon also stated: "With confidence and at the invitation of Mr. Nabih Berri, the Speaker of Parliament, we have set January 9 as the date of the presidential election session, and we hope that the new president will bring the Lebanese together." Mikati noted: "We are all sure that the decision of the Arab countries to support the ceasefire has a direct consequence on the diplomatic role, parallel to the political role, in dealing with developments, according to rationality and political reality."

Two political sources reported to Reuters on Tuesday that two senior Lebanese officials have called on Washington and Paris to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire.

The sources said that Najib Mikati and Nabih Berri spoke with American and French officials on Monday night and expressed their concerns about the state of the ceasefire and Israeli aggression.

A source in UNIFIL (the so-called UN peacekeeping force based in Lebanon) also stated in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed: UNIFIL continues to support the implementation of Resolution 1701 and calls on all parties to adhere to this resolution and implement its provisions to maintain security and stability.

The source added: "We view with concern and caution the ceasefire violations that have occurred over the past few days, but we hope that all parties will adhere to what they have agreed to and not back down. Military solutions are of no use, and this is what has been shown during more than a year of war."