MOSCOW. Oct 1 (Interfax) - Russia condemns the Israeli ground operation in Lebanon and calls for the immediate end of hostilities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Russia strongly condemns the attack on Lebanon and urges the Israeli authorities to immediately stop the hostilities, pull out forces from Lebanese territory, and begin the real search for peaceful ways to settle the Middle East conflict," the statement said.
"Obviously, the step taken by the Israeli military and political leadership after killing a number of Hezbollah leaders will cause further escalation of violence in the Middle East region," it said.
"We stand in solidarity with the leadership and people of friendly Lebanon, which has experienced armed aggression. Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the deceased," it said.
Israel began the ground operation in Lebanon in the early hours of Tuesday, October 1. The Israeli military said it had begun isolated raids on Lebanese territory aimed at destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in border areas.