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| US State Department spokesman Mathew Miller |
The United States has commented on the explosion of hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah in Lebanon. The country said it had no prior knowledge of the pagers explosions and had no involvement in the blasts.
Responding to a question about the pagers explosions at a press conference on Tuesday (September 17), US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, I can tell you that the US is not involved. The US was not aware of this incident in advance and we are currently gathering information in this regard.
Miller added that civilians should not be the target of attacks. However, members of terrorist organizations are "legitimate targets" of attacks. The US State Department spokesperson is believed to be referring to Hezbollah. His country, the United States, views Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization".
Miller also talked about Iran. He said, Iran must avoid such actions that increase tensions after this explosion. In his words, "We request Iran not to take advantage of any incident and try to increase instability in the region."
Read more: Iranian ambassador to Lebanon injured by pager explosion
Scores of pagers used by members of the country's armed group Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday (17 September) amid the Gaza conflict. 9 people including a teenager were killed.
In addition, at least 2,880 people including the Iranian ambassador were injured in Beirut. 200 of them are in serious condition. They are being treated in various hospitals of the country including the capital Bairat.
Local Lebanese media reported that pagers exploded in various parts of the country on Tuesday. This includes the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
Firas al-Abyad, the country's health minister, said most of the injuries were on the face, hands, arms and abdomen. He also said that they are being treated at the expense of the ministry.
Several pagers used by Hezbollah members have exploded in Syria as well as Lebanon. At least 14 people were injured there. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitoring organization, confirmed the information.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 14 people were injured in the Syrian capital Damascus and its surrounding areas when a pager used by Hezbollah exploded. However, their nationality i.e. which country they are citizens of is not yet known.
Read more: Nine killed, 2,750 hurt in Hezbollah pagers explosions
