ISTANBUL
Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, voicing concern over escalating hostilities and urging all parties to respect international law.
"I am deeply concerned about escalation of hostilities in Lebanon. Today I have underlined Sweden's support and solidarity to Lebanon to my counterpart @YoussefRaggi. The Lebanese people deserve peace and security," Stenergard said on US social media company X.
"Sweden calls for an immediate ceasefire. We urge Israel to refrain from further attacks on Lebanese territory. Hezbollah must immediately cease its attacks against Israel. Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected," she added.
Stenergard also emphasized the need to uphold legal protections, saying: "International law, including international humanitarian law, must be respected. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected."
Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities say at least 1,116 people have been killed and 3,229 injured in Israeli attacks since then.
The escalation came amid a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed more than 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US bases in Gulf countries.