Lebanese president warns regional tensions could spiral into wider escalation

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned Thursday that the region faces “very significant” challenges, expressing hope they would not lead to escalation or an “explosion,” Anadolu reports. Aoun made the warning while chairing a Cabinet session at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. “The challenges facing the region are very significant, and I hope their course will not lead toward escalation or explosion,” Aoun said. He urged parties in Lebanon to “exercise wisdom, awareness and restraint” to shield the country from the impact of regional developments, noting that Lebanon is already suffering from difficult economic conditions. “This requires everyone, ministers and political officials, to act wisely […]