Lebanon PM Urges Pakistan's Support to Halt Escalating Attacks, Sharif Points to Regional Mediation Efforts

ISLAMABAD, April 9 (Reuters) — Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urgently sought Pakistan's diplomatic support to secure an immediate cessation of attacks targeting Lebanon and its civilian population, according to a statement released by the Pakistani government on Tuesday.

The appeal was made during a phone conversation between Prime Minister Salam and his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif. The discussion comes amid heightened regional tensions and repeated cross-border strikes that have raised fears of a broader conflict.

"Pakistan remains deeply engaged in sincere efforts to promote regional peace and stability," Sharif was quoted as saying in the official statement. "It is in this spirit that we have been supporting the convening of peace talks between Iran and the United States."

Analysts view the call as part of Lebanon's broader diplomatic outreach to rally international pressure against the ongoing assaults, which have caused significant civilian distress and infrastructure damage. Pakistan, while not a direct party to the conflict, maintains diplomatic channels with multiple key actors in the Middle East and has historically positioned itself as a potential mediator.

The Pakistani premier's reference to the Iran-U.S. talks appears to signal Islamabad's continued willingness to leverage its relationships to de-escalate regional crises, though the immediate efficacy of such efforts in the Lebanon context remains uncertain.

Reactions & Analysis:

"This is a prudent move by Lebanon," said David Chen, a fellow at the Global Security Institute. "Pakistan has maintained ties across divides. While direct intervention is unlikely, diplomatic backing from Islamabad could add weight to international calls for restraint."

"It's just diplomatic theater," countered Sarah Jenkins, a political commentator known for her sharp critiques. "Pakistan is touting its mediation role while attacks continue unabated. Civilians are paying the price, and these phone calls feel like empty gestures unless followed by concrete, collective action from the international community."

"The mention of Iran-U.S. talks is the key takeaway," noted Khalid Al-Mansouri, a regional affairs analyst. "Sharif is subtly reminding all parties that Pakistan is involved in broader stability efforts. This could be a way to encourage all sides to de-escalate, not just in Lebanon but region-wide."

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Alison Williams)