CAIRO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Regional countries and international organizations have condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on Wednesday that killed at least 300 people, calling on the international community to halt the offensive and protect civilians.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid spoke by phone with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, reaffirming Baghdad's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Iraqi presidency said the leaders discussed regional tensions and growing threats to stability. Rashid expressed solidarity with Lebanon "at the levels of leadership, government, and people" and condemned the Israeli strikes, urging an immediate halt to military operations.
Aoun welcomed Iraq's stance and called for unified Arab and international efforts to protect civilians and restore stability.
Egypt on Thursday urged the United States to intervene quickly to ease regional tensions and stop Israeli attacks. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty raised the issue in a phone call with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, warning that Israel's offensive undermines international de-escalation efforts.
Abdelatty also spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam over phone, condemning what he called "brutal Israeli aggression" and calling for an immediate halt to military escalation. He said attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
In a separate call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Abdelatty and Barrot urged coordinated international efforts to support Lebanese institutions and ease the humanitarian crisis.
Also on Thursday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) condemned the attacks "in the strongest terms," calling for international action to prevent further casualties and protect civilians under international law.
The UAE reaffirmed its support for Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and urged that disputes be resolved through diplomacy rather than force.
Pakistan, acting as a mediator in a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, also condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry urged the international community to take urgent steps to end the offensive and reiterated Pakistan's solidarity with the Lebanese government and people.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the strikes, citing hundreds of civilian casualties, including children, and damage to civilian infrastructure. Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit also denounced the attacks as a "blatant violation" of international law and accused Israel of undermining the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.
Israel carried out its largest single-day attack on Lebanon on Wednesday. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 303 people killed and 1,105 injured. ■
