Lebanon and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire after cross-border clashes left 10 dead and 52 wounded. The defence ministers emphasized the importance of continued communication between army intelligence to prevent further escalation. Ongoing discussions in Brussels reaffirmed commitment to managing border tensions.
On Monday, Lebanon’s Defence Minister Michel Menassa and his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire following recent deadly cross-border clashes that resulted in ten fatalities. The conflicts during the past two days also left 52 individuals injured on the Lebanese side, as reported by the health ministry.
In light of the ongoing tensions, both defence ministers resolved to enhance communication between their respective army intelligence directorates in an effort to prevent further escalation along the border. The mountainous border region has been particularly volatile in recent months, especially since Islamist rebels succeeded in overthrowing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, a pivotal ally of Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Moreover, Lebanon’s Foreign Affairs Minister Youssef Raji held discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Brussels to address these developments. Both ministers expressed a commitment to maintaining open lines of communication regarding the situation along the border, as reported by the Lebanese state news agency NNA.
In summary, following significant clashes leading to casualties, Lebanon and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, alongside a commitment to ongoing dialogue between their military and diplomatic officials. This strategic agreement aims to mitigate tensions along their shared border, which has become increasingly volatile in recent months due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
