JERUSALEM (JTA) — Lebanon’s president called for the rapid formation of a unity government in response to "Israeli threats."
President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday urged Lebanon’s elected officials to work together in the face of a possible attack.
"The near daily, repeated Israeli threats … require us to work seriously to secure the internal ranks and accelerate the formation of the national unity government," Suleiman said, according to a statement released from his office, Reuters reported.
The statement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said despite his warning Monday that Israel would hold Lebanon responsible for a Hezbollah attack, there was no danger of military action. Other Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Deputy Prime Minister Danny Ayalon, have made similar warnings in recent days.
"We are not drifting toward war," Netanyahu said earlier on Tuesday during a visit to an Air Force base.
On Monday, the Lebanese army went on alert after reports that three Israeli tanks were advancing on Shebaa Farms, at an area where Lebanon, Syria and Israel intersect.
