‘We will resist any invasion’, says Lebanese health minister

We were joined by Lebanese Health Minister Dr Firass Abiad.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: The invasion has happened. What is the Lebanese government going to do about it?

Dr Firass Abiad: The Lebanese government’s position has been, from day one, is very clear. We do not want war. And this is what our prime minister and minister of foreign affairs were doing in the high level meetings at the UN when the proposal that came from the US, UK, G7, Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Qatar and others that advocated for a ceasefire. Everyone accepted except the other party, Israel, which escalated and launched attacks and now we are seeing a land invasion. So I think that the question is now…

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: So you will not resist?

Dr Firass Abiad: Of course, Lebanon will resist any invasion of its land. This  is basics. But the question is not directed only towards Lebanon. The question is directed towards the international community. This escalation, that’s clearly not only bringing war to Lebanon, but as we have just seen, it’s bringing escalation to the whole region and it’s in danger of turning this into a wider regional conflict. Is this what the international community wants? Is there no effort, no pressure that will be put on Israel to stop this mass killing, these indiscriminate attacks on civilians that we are witnessing in Lebanon?

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: It depends what you mean by the international community doesn’t it? When news of the Iranian missile strikes on Israel came through, we saw people firing their guns into the air in this city and celebrating. Are you celebrating those airstrikes or do you think they’re a terrible mistake?

Dr Firass Abiad: We are not celebrating airstrikes. But you have to understand that after this war that Israel is waging on Lebanon, a war that has up till now resulted in more than almost 2,000 people who were killed, including children, more than 150 children, more than 250 women. And a war that up till now has resulted in around 9,000 injured. People’s feelings are very strong, and this is what we are afraid of. That’s why the Lebanese government from the beginning warned the international community that if Israel is not reined in, this will turn into a major, which is what we are seeing and this is what we feared from the beginning, into something of a regional conflict. So that’s why the Lebanese government, from day one, its position was very clear. You know, we needed to stop this war. We accepted the proposal by the Americans, by Israel’s biggest ally, but unfortunately, Israel did not.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: But also it’s not clear whether you, the government speak for this country. This country is bitterly divided. There’s no president. The parliament can’t agree on who really governs this country now. There were airstrikes today in Beirut and one very near one of the hospitals. Do you fear that if this war escalates between Iran and Israel, things will get much worse for Lebanon?

Dr Firass Abiad: Of course, and that’s our biggest fear. By the way, that hospital is just around less than half a kilometre away from my office and the ministry of health when this attack occurred. We are very concerned about the safety of our citizens. We have paid dearly. Our community has paid dearly for this. And that’s why, again, our efforts are towards finding a diplomatic solution to this conflict. I think this is a realisation that everybody have reached, including the UK, including France, including the US. Anybody who listened to the addresses of the international community at the UN realises that everybody now is calling for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution. And this is the position of our government.