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German government warns against Middle East conflict spreading

German government warns against Middle East conflict spreading

By Grazia British

Culture

The German government is concerned that if the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah spreads over the Middle East, the ensuing destruction would be "catastrophic."

"The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah must not become a regional conflagration," German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin on Saturday.

"This would have terrible and long-term consequences for people throughout the region. The destruction from such a confrontation would be catastrophic."

Innocent civilians have been injured and killed in the past few days, and people in Israel's northern neighbouring state are living in fear and terror, although "large sections of the population" have nothing to do with the conflict, he added.

"A diplomatic solution to the conflict must be possible," the spokesman emphasized. The Shiite Hezbollah militia must withdraw from the border area with Israel so that people in northern Israel can return to their home towns, he said.

The latest Israeli attack on Saturday killed 37 in a Beirut suburb and injured at least 68. Hezbollah said 15 of its members were killed. So far the death toll from the explosions of pagers and other devices on Tuesday and Wednesday has left 39 dead. Israel is seen as being those attacks, but has not claimed responsibility.

Civil Defense workers are seen at the site of the Israeli air raid attack in Beirut southern suburb. The death toll from the Israeli attack on Beirut's southern suburbs, a hotbed of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, has risen to 31, authorities said on 21 September. Among the dead were three children and seven women, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said in a press conference. Marwan Naamani/dpaCivil Defense workers are seen at the site of the Israeli air raid attack in Beirut southern suburb. The death toll from the Israeli attack on Beirut's southern suburbs, a hotbed of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, has risen to 31, authorities said on 21 September. Among the dead were three children and seven women, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said in a press conference. Marwan Naamani/dpa

Originally published by yahoo.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Grazia British.

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