PM Anwar calls for West Asia truce to include Lebanon, highlighting severe humanitarian toll with 1,000+ deaths and a million displaced.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for the ongoing ceasefire in the West Asian conflict to be expanded to include Lebanon.
Anwar said he conveyed this position during a telephone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, noting the severe impact on Lebanon.
The country has seen about one million people displaced and more than 1,000 fatalities recorded due to the conflict.
“I reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue, while also addressing the increasingly urgent humanitarian situation,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
During the call, Anwar also extended Aidilfitri greetings to his counterpart.
He expressed appreciation for the Lebanese government’s support in ensuring the safety and welfare of personnel from the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“In concluding the conversation, I expressed Malaysia’s commitment to continue working with Lebanon and international partners to restore regional peace and stability,” he added.
Media reports state that Israel has carried out airstrikes and launched ground operations in southern Lebanon following a cross-border attack by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group on March 2.
Lebanese authorities report that at least 1,039 people have been killed and 2,876 others injured in the Israeli attacks to date.
