Israel has right to defend itself, but wider war must be avoided: Trudeau

Date:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is condemning Iran’s missile attack on Israel, but says the international community must do everything it can to help avoid a bigger regional war.

Exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon over the last year erupted into broader violence in the last week as Israel ramped up its campaign against Hezbollah by air and Tuesday began sending in ground troops.

Also on Tuesday, Iran launched some 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, and warned of a “harsher” attack if Israel responds in kind.

Trudeau called Iran’s attack a further destabilizing action by a “terrorist regime” that put civilians at risk and runs the risk of a wider war.

He says he spoke to other G7 leaders in an early morning call and all agreed the international community must do everything it can to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that in just a week the alarming situation in Lebanon has gone from bad “to much, much worse,” and called for an end to the hostilities.

— With files from The Associated Press

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

Teddy bear tussle: Colts, 67s have donnybrook amid raining stuffed animals

At the Ottawa 67s’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game,...

Crowning achievement: Barrie’s ‘unsung heroes’ awarded coronation medals

The mayors of Barrie, Springwater and Oro-Medonte, Alex Nuttall, ...

No humbugs here: Nuttall makes personal case for Christmas charity

Barrie mayor Alex Nuttall is highlighting the efforts of...

Councillors praise efficiency of city’s first ‘strong mayor’ budget

In the moments before a final vote on the...