Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the UN Security Council, called on Israel to stop offensive operations against Lebanon, and "Hezbollah" to withdraw his formations north of the Litani river, news.bg. reports.
"We consistently and unwaveringly proceed from the need for full and comprehensive implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which spells out both Israel's obligations to cease all offensive military operations, withdraw its armed forces from South Lebanon and to end the occupation of Lebanese lands, as well as the obligation of "Hezbollah" to withdraw all formations north of the Litani River," Lavrov said.
According to him "someone strongly wants and is trying to provoke a major war", "it is necessary to immediately stop the unfolding of the spiral of violence before the situation finally gets out of control".< /p>
The Russian minister stated that "indiscriminate attacks, whose victims are civilians, are categorically unacceptable. The war path he has chosen for West Jerusalem will not help him return internally displaced persons to the northern part of the country, will not guarantee security in the Lebanese-Israeli border area.
"We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, which will prevent further bloodshed and create conditions for a political and diplomatic settlement," Lavrov said.
He stated that Russia is making active diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent the most catastrophic scenario. Moscow is ready to coordinate its actions with international and regional partners.
"Members of the Council must place the interests of the peoples of Palestine and Israel above the narrowly selfish political calculations of individual figures and demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of all illegally detained persons, the provision of full and unimpeded humanitarian access,", called the Russian foreign minister.
He emphasized that "violators of the Security Council resolution must be subject to strict measures, without which our decisions will continue to remain on paper".
The minister also called on Washington to stop supporting Israel.
"Without your full support for Israel, the conflict can be ended quickly and effectively. This will help create the conditions for a return to peace negotiations for the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state that will coexist in peace and security with Israel," Lavrov said.
At the same time, according to the Russian foreign minister, "negotiations, of course, should be held under the auspices of the international community, without being monopolized by any country.
"We have already seen all this, all this leads to a catastrophe", concluded Lavrov.