BEIRUT– The Union of Publishers in Lebanon condemned in a statement the attacks on the capital, Beirut and other parts of the country, describing them as an assault on both civilians and the city’s cultural identity.

The syndicate said it was following with “deep concern” what it described as an “Israeli brutal aggression” against Lebanon, noting that the latest escalation has reached Beirut, a city it said remains densely populated with civilians.

It stressed that Beirut is not only a city, but a cultural beacon in Lebanon, the Arab world and internationally, home to books, libraries, publishing houses, printing presses, universities, and intellectual centres that have for decades formed a space for dialogue, creativity, and knowledge exchange.

The statement added that Beirut’s cultural diversity and intellectual production represent an invaluable asset to the Arab region and a broad space for freedom of expression and cultural interaction.

It called on the Arab and international communities to take a firm stance to protect the city and preserve its cultural and civilizational heritage amid ongoing violence.

The union also appealed to writers, publishers, and intellectuals across the Arab world and beyond to raise their voices in defence of Beirut and Lebanon, which it described as a symbol of freedom and creativity.

It concluded that books and culture remain the strongest tools in confronting attempts at erasure and destruction, affirming that Beirut will remain, despite all challenges, a city of books, a space of freedom, and a key pillar in the Arab and global cultural landscape.