Exclusive

Lebanese ambassador calls for ceasefire as Iran fires hundreds of missiles at Israel

1 October 2024, 20:07

Footage has shown missiles flying over Jordan with other images showing missiles in the skies above the city of Tel Aviv
Footage has shown missiles flying over Jordan with other images showing missiles in the skies above the city of Tel Aviv. Picture: Getty

By Will Conroy

The Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Kingdom has said “diplomacy should prevail before it’s too late” after Iran fired around 200 missiles towards Israel.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Footage has shown missiles flying over Jordan with other images showing missiles in the skies above the city of Tel Aviv as Iran said it launched "tens" of missiles at Israel.

It comes as Israeli troops operate within Lebanese borders. IDF special forces have been deployed to ‘dismantle’ Hezbollah’s military capabilities “preventing it from carrying out another Oct 7-style attack”, the IDF said.

Hezbollah, which translates to "The Party of God", has had its militants trained by Iran and is regarded as an Iranian proxy.

Iran launches attack on Israel as missiles seen in the skies above the city of Tel Aviv
Iran launches attack on Israel as missiles seen in the skies above the city of Tel Aviv. Picture: Getty

Amid fears of further escalation, Rami Mortada, the Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Kingdom has told Andrew Marr on LBC that “reason and diplomacy should prevail”.

On whether Israel’s advances could destroy Lebanon, Mr Mortada said: “Already they are destroying, when you have more than 500 people killed on the same day and they are all civilians.

“The only way that the concerns should be addressed is through diplomatic ways. So I think before it's too late, before the region enters into a fully irreversible destabilising path I think reason should prevail and diplomacy should prevail.”

Rami Mortada, the Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Kingdom has said “reason and diplomacy should prevail”
Rami Mortada, the Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Kingdom has said “reason and diplomacy should prevail”. Picture: LBC

IDF forces have been operating from inside Lebanon’s borders ‘for months,’ an IDF military spokesman said.

Israeli special forces have carried out more than 70 operations in southern Lebanon over the last year, it has been reported.

A special operations squad of between 20 and 40 soldiers has been working in border areas uncovering tunnel shafts, weapons, operational posts and storage facilities.

Mr Mortada has called for a 21-day ceasefire to allow diplomatic conversations to be held and for displaced people on each side of the conflict to be returned.

However, he believes the intentions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to inflict “strategic change in the region” which he says is “totally destabilising”.

Mr Mortada believes the intentions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to inflict “strategic change in the region”
Mr Mortada believes the intentions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to inflict “strategic change in the region”. Picture: Alamy

He told Andrew: “The UK, US, France and others - 15 nations - are calling for a 21 day ceasefire in Lebanon and during these 21 days we would intend to embark into negotiations where all concerns would be addressed.

“If it's about the 60,000 displaced Israelis we also have today 1 million displaced Lebanese, so all these grievances should be on the table and (we should) come out with a suitable diplomatic arrangement.

“However, I would say the real war aim of Israel is not bringing back its population. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the real war aim is to inflict strategic change in the region and I think that is totally destabilising.”

Read more: Eight people killed and seven wounded in terror attack in Israel, authorities say

Read more: Iran unleashes 200 missiles on Israel, as civilians urged to get to shelter and air raid sirens sound

Despite saying he did not justify the Iranian missiles into Israel, Mr Mortada said “you would expect these things” based on Israel’s actions in a “volatile and already dangerous region”.

The Lebanese ambassador said: “Well we've always said that Israel war mongering will open a pandora box in the region - a region which was already volatile and already dangerous.

“So the current Israeli operation is adding an extra layer of complexity and you would expect these things, without justifying it’s just about explaining.

He added: “It's not my role to comment about Iranian war tactics but what I'm saying is that when you start a war you should expect - especially in this region that is very complex.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry

Prince Harry breaks silence as he attacks 'blatant lies' amid investigation into Sentebale charity

M5 closed in both directions after body found on motorway sparking police investigation

M5 closed in both directions after body found on motorway sparking police investigation

Lucy

Expert panel claims 'no criminal offences committed' in Lucy Letby case after bombshell new report into baby deaths

The Sentinelese are a pre-Neolithic tribe that rejects contact with the modern world

US tourist arrested for sailing to remote island and leaving a can of Coke for the world's most isolated tribe to try

Full runners and riders confirmed for Saturday's Grand National

Grand National 2025 runners and riders confirmed as full 34-horse line-up revealed

Exclusive
Sophie Bannister and April-Levi Whalley have posted celebratory social media posts after dodging jail for drug smuggling

'Can't wait to enjoy our summer': Drug smuggling best friends celebrate after avoiding jail time

The Trump administration has been ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

'No one is safe, not even the penguins': Trump administration ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

Uriah Rennie is 'learning to walk again'.

Premier League's first black referee, Uriah Rennie, 'learning to walk again' after he was left paralysed

Two people died in the explosion in Newcastle

Man, 33, admits manslaughter and drugs charge after devastating house explosion in Newcastle left two dead

j

Glamorous drug smuggling friends found guilty of bringing cannabis to UK - after New York 'shopping trip'

Greenpeace activists scaled a building outside the Foreign Office

Greenpeace activists scale Foreign Office building over signing of ocean treaty

Spain celebrates winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia

UK poised to host 2035 Women’s World Cup

Lucy Letby

Lawyer for killer nurse Lucy Letby to hand over 'fresh' evidence he hopes will clear her name

World leaders react to US tariffs

'This is not the act of a friend': World leaders react to Trump's 'unwarranted' tariffs

The millionaire businesswoman has called for an urgent safety review by TfL after the emergency Help Point failed in a central London station.

Millionaire businesswoman abandoned on Tube platform by staff after 'traumatising' assault

British couple

British couple found dead in New Zealand named - as police probe possible murder-suicide