UK’s Cameron urges calm on Lebanon-Israel border in Beirut talks

Beirut – British foreign minister David Cameron appealed for a return to calm on the Lebanon-Israel border Thursday in Beirut talks with Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, Mikati’s office said.

Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, the border has seen near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a Hamas ally.

Cameron and Mikati discussed “ways to restore calm in southern Lebanon, as well as the political and diplomatic solutions that are needed,” the premier’s office said. 

Cameron is the latest in a succession of Western ministers to visit Beirut amid concern that the Gaza war could spark a wider conflict involving Iranian allies around the Middle East.

A major focus of their efforts has been to reinforce the United Nations Security Council resolution that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Resolution 1701 called for all armed personnel to pull back north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border, except for Lebanese state security forces and UN peacekeepers.

Mikati discussed with Cameron “ways to implement UN Resolution 1701,” his office said.

“Lebanon supports a peaceful solution in the region,” Mikati said, adding: “Lebanon supports the implementation of international resolutions to the letter, especially Resolution 1701.”

While Hezbollah has not had a visible military presence in the border area since 2006, the group still holds sway over large parts of the south, where it has built tunnels and hideouts from which it has  launched missile and drone attacks into Israel.

Hezbollah had previously signalled willingness to endorse a diplomatic solution, but only after Israel ends its war on Gaza.

Cameron later met the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally.

Senior Hezbollah official Nabil Kaouk said on Wednesday that the group had “intensified” its operations “in response to Israel’s escalation,” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.

His comments came after Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that troops would “very soon go into action” near the Lebanese border.

Nearly four months of cross-border fire have killed over 210 people in Lebanon, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also including more than 25 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side of the border, nine soldiers and six civilians have been killed, Israeli officials have said.