Arab League Secretary-General: Israeli occupation attacks in southern Lebanon 'unacceptable'

Beirut, October 20 (KUNA) -- Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy affirmed on Tuesday that the attacks and violations suffered by citizens in southern Lebanon at the hands of the Israeli occupation are “unacceptable.” In a press statement during his tour of southern Lebanon accompanied by Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Haneen al-Sayyid, Fahmy stressed “the responsibility of the Arab and international communities to support Lebanon, strengthen its institutions’ capacities, enable it to confront challenges, and facilitate the return of its people to their homes.” He noted that his visit to southern Lebanon underscored the League and Arab states’ solidarity with Lebanon, adding that he would convey this message from southern Lebanon to Arab countries and the international community, reflecting Arab commitment to standing by Lebanon and supporting its security and stability.

Fahmy also pointed out that his visit to Lebanon stemmed from his responsibility and trust toward Arab states and their peoples, and from his consistent effort since assuming office to enhance cooperation with various parties and translate joint Arab action into specific political and practical steps. He clarified that the first decision issued by the Arab League Council at the ministerial level last September addressed the Lebanese issue comprehensively through an approach “aimed at addressing the causes and roots of the crisis, particularly repeated Israeli violations of the Lebanese border in contravention of international resolutions and targeting Lebanese citizens and Lebanese capacities.”

Fahmy emphasized that the Arab stance is based on supporting the Lebanese state and its ability to provide services to citizens, strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and their national role, affirming that backing Lebanon constitutes “a political commitment by the Arab community and the Arab League, grounded in addressing the crisis’s root causes and providing the necessary resources for Lebanese institutions to carry out their duties.” He noted that his choice to visit the south carried “a political message to its residents, stating that the Arab world, alongside the international community, recognizes the scale of their suffering and is prepared to stand by them through positive and tangible steps.”

He also affirmed that his presence in the south aimed to “send a clear message abroad” that what citizens in this area face, including Israeli occupation violations against them, is unacceptable, and that there is a political, moral, and security responsibility necessitating action to confront these developments, strengthen Lebanese institutions, and facilitate the return of citizens to their villages and homes. Fahmy noted that the League “will continue consultations with Lebanese authorities and work with them to enable the government, people, and army to perform their duties to the fullest extent possible, despite the difficulties and challenges the region is witnessing.”

He described what he witnessed as “regrettable, reflecting an Israeli methodology based on demolishing residential areas, seizing land, and attempting to displace citizens, thereby paving the way for the possibility of Israeli occupation.” Fahmy pointed to renewed Arab efforts to cooperate with the Lebanese government at political, organizational, and national levels, alongside work to provide support, particularly for the Lebanese Armed Forces, expressing hope for further assistance in the coming phase.

In response to a question, Fahmy stressed that “Arab positions should not be limited to condemnation and denunciation, although both are necessary regarding the unacceptable Israeli practices against Lebanon; rather, they must be translated into practical and constructive steps.” The Arab League Secretary-General had held meetings yesterday, Monday, with senior Lebanese officials, in which he reaffirmed the League’s support for Lebanon’s stability and the strengthening of its constitutional institutions. (End) A.Y.B. / N.A.A.