China urges respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty amid Israeli strikes

BEIJING, April 09 (YPA) – China on Thursday stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and security of Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli strikes on multiple areas.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press briefing that Lebanon’s sovereignty must not be violated and that civilian safety should be ensured, calling for restraint and de-escalation, according to Xinhua.

Her remarks came after Israeli forces carried out large-scale airstrikes on several Lebanese cities, including Beirut, Sidon, and Baalbek, hours after a ceasefire with Iran was announced, with Lebanese health authorities reporting heavy casualties.

Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran and the United States had agreed to an immediate ceasefire effective Wednesday, based on a ten-point Iranian proposal.