Lebanon’s Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, has dismissed rumors that several European nations are withdrawing their ambassadors from Lebanon amid concerns of a military escalation between Hezbollah and Israel due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Minister Makary clarified that reports of European countriesâspecifically Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Britain, Italy, and Spainâpulling their envoys out of Lebanon are “baseless.” He emphasized that spreading such “false news” is a tactic often used as part of psychological warfare, which the Israeli enemy resorts to.
Makary urged media outlets to verify information before publication, noting that the country is currently navigating a “highly delicate phase.”
Fears of escalating cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel have been growing since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas, has engaged in exchanges of fire with Israel along the southern Lebanese border.
Adding to the tensions, Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah issued a threat last week to Cyprus, suggesting that the island nation could be considered part of the conflict if it facilitated Israeli operations by opening its airports and bases. Cyprus responded by asserting that it seeks to be part of the solution and not the problem, thus dismissing Nasrallah’s accusations.
As of now, there is no official movement or evacuation of European ambassadors from Lebanon, and diplomatic operations continue as usual. The Lebanese government remains engaged in managing the delicate situation with an emphasis on maintaining stability and addressing misinformation.
This confirmation from the Lebanese government aims to quell public anxiety and counteract any unfounded reports that might contribute to regional instability during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
