ST. PETERSBURG. Sept 20 (Interfax) - Moscow has warned Israel against launching a large-scale military campaign against Lebanon, as that would be catastrophic for the Middle East, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
"We have no doubt that the beginning of a large-scale military campaign in Lebanon would have the most destructive consequences for the security of the entire Middle East. Such a catastrophic scenario must be avoided," Zakharova said at a press briefing in St. Petersburg on Friday.
She thus commented on Israel's statement regarding "a new stage of the military campaign" refocusing on the northern flank. On Thursday, Israeli aircraft struck targets south of Lebanon, and a series of cyberattacks was launched in Lebanon two days earlier, killing dozens and injuring thousands.
"We are urging the parties involved yet again to show maximum restraint, stop the hostilities, and prepare for close interaction with regional and international partners in order to ease the tensions and stabilize the military-political situation," Zakharova said.