BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov 1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib

Mikati on Friday criticised Israel's "expansion" of its attacks on his
country, saying they indicated a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after
more than a month of war.

Mikati's statement came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
met visiting US officials to discuss a possible deal to end the war in
Lebanon.

"The Israeli enemy's renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on
Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire
cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of
Beirut with destructive raids are all indicators that confirm the Israeli
enemy's rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire," Mikati
said.

The Lebanese premier added that Israel's diplomatic behaviour suggested it
was rejecting a ceasefire.

"Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon received confirm
Israel's stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on
the approach of killing and destruction," Mikati said in a statement.

Parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri also hit out at Israel, accusing it of
squandering chances for a ceasefire.

"Israel has wasted... more than one real opportunity to secure a truce... and
return calm and displaced persons to both sides of the border," he said in a
statement carried by the official National News Agency.

Since fighting in Lebanon escalated on September 23, the war has killed at
least 1,829 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally of health ministry
figures.

On Wednesday, Mikati said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signalled during a
phone call that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before
US elections are held next Tuesday.

The same day, Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem said the group would agree
to a ceasefire with Israel under "appropriate and suitable" terms, but added
that a viable deal has yet to be presented.

During talks on Thursday, Israeli leader Netanyahu told US envoys Amos
Hochstein and Brett McGurk that any Lebanon deal must guarantee Israel's
longer-term security.