BICOM

Lebanon’s political leaders met yesterday to discuss the new wall Israel is building on the border between the two countries.

President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said they met to study what they described as “Israeli threats”. They agreed to take measures “at various regional and international levels to prevent Israel from building the cement wall … and from the possibility of infringing on Lebanon’s oil and gas wealth and its (territorial) waters”.

Israel has said that the wall is being built on the Israeli side of the internationally-recognised “blue line” border that was drawn up by the UN and divides the countries.

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israel Defence Force (IDF) meet regularly under the supervision of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to discuss issues and incidents along the border.

Following yesterday’s meeting, the LAF said: “The Lebanese side reviewed the matter of the wall which the Israeli enemy intends to build … confirming the position of the Lebanese government rejecting the construction of this wall as it violates Lebanese sovereignty.”

UNIFIL Commander Major General Michael Beary noted there had been a “period of relative calm” since the last tripartite meeting, but acknowledged that “there has been a great deal of activity along the Blue Line”.

“I would like to acknowledge the restraint exercised by both parties in decreasing tension and maintaining stability. No one wants to return to a period of escalating tensions and a breach of the cessation of hostilities,” he said.

Last week Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Lebanon that Israel was ready to retaliate if it is targeted by Hezbollah. He said: “If people in Tel Aviv are in bomb shelters, then they will also be in shelters in Beirut. This has to be clear to the other side.”

The Israeli security cabinet yesterday visited the Golan Heights and were given a briefing by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Maj.-Gen. Yoel Strik and the head of Northern Command Brig.-Gen. Yaniv Asor.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We seek peace, but remain prepared for any scenario, and I don’t propose to anyone to test that resolve, I’m impressed with the immense efforts of the IDF here to protect both our borders and our country.” Netanyahu has warned Iran not to maintain a permanent military presence in Syria or build missile factories in Lebanon.