LIBANON on Saturday (2/11) said it would submit a complaint to the UN Security Council regarding the kidnapping of a citizen by Israel.
A Lebanese citizen was kidnapped on Friday (1/11) in a suspected Israeli naval operation in Batroun, about 30 kilometers north of Beirut. Lebanese authorities stated that the kidnap victim was a ship captain, while denying that he was a Hezbollah commander.
In a statement, Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office said the prime minister had instructed Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib to submit a complaint to the United Nations regarding the incident.
The statement also said that Mikati had contacted Army Commander General Joseph Aoun to obtain the latest report regarding the ongoing investigation into this case.
Mikati also communicated with the UN peace mission command (UNIFIL), who confirmed that they were carrying out the necessary investigations and coordinating with the army in this regard, the statement added.
Mikati stressed the importance of ‘expediting the investigation to clarify the circumstances of the case and put everything in its place.’
Israel has stepped up its air campaign in Lebanon since late September under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah, an escalation of the year-long cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive in the Gaza Strip.
According to Lebanese health authorities, nearly 2,900 people have been killed and more than 13,000 injured in Israeli attacks since last October. Israeli forces expanded the conflict by launching an equally brutal attack on southern Lebanon on October 1. (Ant/Z-6)
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**Interview with Dr. Samir Jaber, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jaber. Recent reports indicate that a Lebanese citizen was kidnapped by an Israeli commando force in Batroun. What can you tell us about the implications of this incident?
**Dr. Jaber:** Thank you for having me. This incident is quite significant and underscores the ongoing tension in the region. The kidnapping of a Lebanese citizen by an Israeli force not only raises concerns regarding sovereignty but also could escalate military tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
**Interviewer:** Lebanon has announced plans to submit a complaint to the UN Security Council. How do you see this move impacting Lebanon’s diplomatic standing?
**Dr. Jaber:** Submitting a complaint to the UN is a strategic move for Lebanon. It allows the Lebanese government to internationalize the issue and seek support from other nations. This could potentially bring attention to Israel’s actions in the region, but it remains to be seen how the international community will react, especially given the complexities of geopolitical alliances.
**Interviewer:** There are suggestions that Germany may have colluded in this operation. How might this affect relations not only between Lebanon and Israel, but also between Lebanon and Germany?
**Dr. Jaber:** If evidence surfaces that Germany was involved or had foreknowledge of the operation, it would certainly strain Lebanon’s relations with Germany. Germany has historically been viewed as a mediator in the region, and any perceived backing of Israeli actions could lead to a backlash against German diplomatic efforts. This situation highlights the intricate web of alliances and hostilities at play in the Middle East.
**Interviewer:** Given the current state of affairs, what steps do you think Lebanon should take next?
**Dr. Jaber:** Lebanon needs to approach this carefully. Strengthening its diplomatic efforts is essential. More communication with other nations and regional players, along with publicizing this incident on international platforms, could help garner more support. Ultimately, ensuring the safety and rights of its citizens must be the priority.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Jaber, for your insights on this troubling incident.
**Dr. Jaber:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue to discuss these issues as they evolve.