ISTANBUL

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned Friday of a “looming humanitarian crisis” as the country grapples with an expanding conflict, urging Arab and foreign ambassadors to support diplomatic efforts to end the fighting and help civilians displaced by the violence.

“A humanitarian disaster is looming,” Salam said in remarks during a meeting with Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Lebanon.

He said Lebanon had been “drawn into a devastating war that we did not seek and did not choose,” describing the conflict as one “imposed upon us.”

“Our priority is to stop this war,” Salam said. “Our duty is to protect our country and our people.”

He warned that Lebanon is being dragged “further into an abyss,” calling for unity and responsibility as the violence intensifies. “Its descent into further violence and chaos has to stop,” he said.

Salam said the government is continuing to work with international partners on diplomatic efforts aimed at stopping escalation and defending Lebanon’s sovereignty.

“Every step we take is guided by one principle: protecting our country and the safety and dignity of our people,” he said.

“This is the motivation that informs our decision to ban the security and military activities of Hezbollah and all non-state actors, Lebanese and foreign,” he added.

Salam said the government has taken steps to reduce the burden of displacement but warned that the scale of the crisis exceeds Lebanon’s available resources, calling for stronger international support.

He also said the government is ready to resume negotiations aimed at stabilizing the situation.

“Every assistance you may be able to extend to us in providing relief to the population is precious to us,” he said.

The Israeli army has carried out a series of airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, killing more than 120 people and injuring nearly 700 others following cross-border attacks by Hezbollah.

The escalation comes amid an ongoing Israeli-US offensive on Iran that has killed around 1,230 people since Saturday, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Israel has repeatedly violated a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon signed in November 2024, carrying out near-daily strikes that have left hundreds dead and wounded.

Israel began its offensive against Lebanon in October 2023 and escalated it into a full-scale war in September 2024, killing more than 4,000 people and wounding around 17,000.