MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Lebanon’s army is committed to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite its poor technical capabilities, Lebanese Ambassador to Russia Shawki Bou Nassar told TASS.
"No doubt, the Lebanese army will respond to any attacks because Israel’s aggression is aimed not only against Hezbollah, a certain group, a certain sect or a certain region," he said when asked whether the Lebanese army can engage in the conflict directly.
"The Israeli aggression affects entire Lebanon, its population and even the Lebanese army," he said, adding that a Lebanese officer fell victim of an Israeli attack last week.
"That is why the Lebanese army, naturally, will defend its positions and will defend Lebanon, its sovereignty and territory, despite the fact that it is poorly equipped," the diplomat stressed.
Israel has been delivering massive airstrikes on Hezbollah military targets in Lebanon since September 23, when it launched Operation Northern Arrows. Israel’s declared goal is to create safe conditions in the country’s northern areas so that tens of thousands of local residents could return to their homes. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed in Israel’s strike on Beirut on September 27. In the early hours of October 1, Israel announced the launch of a ground operation in Lebanon’s border areas.