site.btaVice President Iotova: UN Security Council Must Convene Soon, We Are on Verge of Global War in Middle East

Even though the UN Summit has just finished, the Security Council must convene as soon as possible because we are on the brink of a global war in the Middle East, said Vice President Iliana Iotova during the opening of the academic year of Sofia University on Tuesday.

Iotova congratulated the Bulgarian institutions for their swift reaction on Monday and for having managed to evacuate many Bulgarians living in Lebanon. The flight, which took place Tuesday, evacuated 89 compatriots, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev told journalists after the government plane with the first group of Bulgarians from Lebanon landed at Sofia airport.

Iotova assured that Bulgaria will do everything necessary for all its citizens wishing to return home, while noting that there are also medics, who want to fulfill their duty in Lebanon.

Asked whether President Radev would convene a Consultative Council on National Security, Iotova stressed that it is the President's decision. The head of state is informed and will take his decisions together with the other institutions, she added.

On Monday night the Israeli army carried out at least two air strikes in the southern areas of Beirut, Reuters reported, citing Lebanese security forces.

At the same time, fears of an Israeli ground offensive have intensified. A Lebanese military source told AFP that the Lebanese army was repositioning and regrouping its units along Lebanon's southern border. The US State Department said it had been informed by Israel of limited ground operations in Lebanon.