Diplomatic contacts are ongoing to stop the Israeli war on Lebanon, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Sunday, stressing that diplomacy is necessary to end the conflict and reduce civilian suffering.
"We are conducting continuous contacts with various countries to reduce the tragedies of this war, and we call on friendly countries to intervene to stop this madness practiced by Israel," Aoun said in an Easter speech in Bkirki.
He said that Lebanon has proposed an initiative starting with a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations, but has not yet received a response from the other side.
Aoun said that Lebanon strongly condemns Israel's attacks on innocent civilians, and that the resumption of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel is not what the Lebanese government or its people desire for.
Lebanon is currently focusing on three priorities, namely maintaining domestic peace, providing relief for the displaced within its territory, and strengthening diplomatic engagement to end the war, said the president.
Aoun also said that Israel is trying to turn Lebanon into a second Gaza Strip, and that his duty is precisely to prevent this from happening.
He stressed that negotiation is not surrender, while diplomacy is not concession, and that wars would eventually end through negotiations.
The president warned that civil peace in Lebanon is a "red line," adding that security forces and the army are ready to confront any attempts to stir internal strife. He praised residents who have hosted displaced families and thanked friendly countries and aid organizations for their efforts.
Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported that the total number of people killed since March 2 has risen to 1,461, while 4,430 wounded. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced since the war intensified.
Cross-border fighting has continued along the Lebanon-Israel border since March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon.
Lebanese president calls for diplomacy to end Israeli war
Lebanese president calls for diplomacy to end Israeli war
Families of victims killed in an attack in central Nigeria's Jos a week ago are calling on the government to do more to protect lives and property.
Gunmen attacked the Ungwan Rukuba community, opening fire and killing about 30 people on March 29.
Ferdinand Habila Gapsiso lost his 24-year-old son Makburi in the attack. As friends and family condoled them in a memorial service, the father recounted the devastation of losing a child.
"When we turned to the other side, where they laid the corpses down on the floor, the first person that we saw was [Makburi]. This child was my hope. We have struggled for him to get to that stage, and suddenly they cut his life short. It was so painful, so painful," Gapsiso said.
The government has described the incident as a terror attack. The area is home to several staff and students from the local university, and many of them have since left the city.
The government has also imposed a curfew in Jos North local government area, where the Ungwar Rukuba community is located, as part of the measures to restore law and order in the city.
Jos, and other parts of Plateau State have a history of violent attacks. Community leaders say there is now growing distrust among residents. They want the government to arrest the perpetrators, and ensure they are exposed and punished to serve as a deterrence.
"We have laws in this country. We have the anti-terrorism act that has spelled out what is to be done to anybody who has been found to be culpable. We should be having the political will to make sure that we go all out and let whoever is the perpetrator, found to be guilty to face the wrath of the law. Once we do that, it will send a lot of signals down the spines of people," said Esthon Gapsiso, a community leader.
President Bola Tinubu visited Jos to condole with families on Wednesday. He says the government will deploy 5,000 intelligence-enabled cameras to support peace operations in the state.
"Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and prosperity, not to comfort and create widows and widowers, to bring prosperity as a promise, to bring inclusiveness as a government, to share in the hope and aspirations of everyone, to lead our youths," Tinubu said during the visit.
The president has also scheduled meetings with opinion leaders in the state, to discuss more ways to address the security challenges.
Defense authorities say they have approved deployment of 850 additional troops to Jos, and other parts of Plateau. They say an investigation is also underway to identify those behind the killings.
Residents demand more effective protection measures after deadly attack on community in Jos
