A number of countries condemned the detonation of communication devices in Lebanon this week during an emergency session held by the United Nations Security Council on Friday, following a surge in cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, and deadly wireless device explosions targeting members of the militant group.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Lebanon, Israel, Iran, and Syria.
Prior to the session, Israel's permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon, refused to comment on whether Israel was behind the attacks.
"Though we are not commenting on the specific attacks you mentioned, but I can tell you that we will do everything we can to target those terrorists, to minimize casualties to civilians. But we prefer the diplomatic way," said Danon.
Exploding pagers and walkie-talkies killed at least 37 people and injured another 3,400 across Lebanon over Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, said that frequent clashes between the Israeli Defense Forces and Lebanese armed groups have displaced more than 100,000 people in southern Lebanon and at least 60,000 in northern Israel.
China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, strongly condemned the explosion of communication devices, saying it is a serious violation of a country's sovereignty and security, and a blatant violation of international law, especially international humanitarian law.
"The attacks were so outrageously brutal and atrocious that they deserve nothing less than condemnation in the strongest possible terms," said Fu.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called on the UN Security Council to condemn the explosions of communication devices across Lebanon.
Considering these events as terrorist attacks that have opened a Pandora's Box, Habib warned of potential imitation by other countries and organizations in the future.
He also noted the timing of the attacks.
"These attacks represent a serious, unprecedented event in the history of wars, and they come in the aftermath of Israeli declarations concerning a full scale war on Lebanon, sending Lebanon back to the Stone Age," said Habib.
Representatives from Iran, Algeria, and Slovenia, also condemned the explosions in Lebanon, emphasizing the need to abide by international humanitarian law and avoid indiscriminate remote attacks on civilians with severe consequences.
Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations Koussay Aldahhak said the devastating recent attacks were deployed without any regard to international law or to humanity.
Iran's permanent representatives to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani blamed Israel for the latest attacks.
"The targeting of communication devices in the heart of Beruit sends a clear message to the international community: Israel is willing to commit any crime, no matter how extreme, to violate and attack the sovereignty and security of countries in the region, and threaten regional and international peace and security," said Iravani.
The UN Security Council also called for a thorough investigation into the events.
UN Security Council meets in emergency session over Lebanon
