Lebanese Acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called for the declaration of South Lebanon as an “agricultural disaster area” due to the damage to 800 hectares of agricultural land caused by Israeli aggression. This statement was made at the beginning of a government session on Thursday, as reported by the Lebanese Council of Ministers on their official “X” platform page.
Mikati, in his speech, highlighted the ongoing Israeli aggression against South Lebanon, resulting in martyrs, injuries, and extensive destruction. He mentioned a government meeting with United Nations organizations and ambassadors of donor and concerned countries, where he requested rapid assistance from those organizations.
He noted that there are approximately 100,000 displaced individuals from the villages in the south, 313 martyrs, and about 1,000 injured people. The major catastrophe, he emphasized, lies in the agricultural sector, with 800 hectares completely damaged. Additionally, 340,000 head of livestock were lost, and 75% of farmers lost their ultimate source of income.
Mikati stressed the need to declare the southern region an agricultural disaster area, especially since this issue will extend into the coming years. He affirmed the pursuit of “peace of human justice” and called upon the international community to condemn the attacks, deter the enemy, stop the war, establish peace, and keep the war away from the region. Mikati urged friends of Lebanon worldwide to sincerely work to pressure Israel to stop its aggression against Lebanon.