Bulgarian President, caretaker PM, call security council meetings over Middle East
Bulgarian President Roumen Radev has called a meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security for October 4, with the topic “risks and threats to national security in the context of conflicts in the Middle East – need for action”.
The Consultative Council for National Security, convened by the head of state, brings together the head of state, head of government, key cabinet ministers, leaders of parliamentary groups, and the heads of the armed forces, security and intelligence services.
Separately, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev announced that he was convening a meeting of the cabinet security council a 5pm on October 2.
The cabinet security council consists of the ministers of interior, defence, foreign affairs, finance and e-government, and its meetings are attended by the heads of the State Agency for National Security, State Intelligence Agency, Military Intelligence and National Security Service.
Service, and the head of the National Security Service also participate in the Security Council.
Caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov told a briefing on October 2 that security was being stepped up at various key points in Sofia, including the Israeli embassy.
“Because of the tension in the Middle East, the police presence will be increased in key places in the capital. This is preventive. We have no data from our or foreign services that there is a threat of terror for Bulgaria,” Ilkov said.
Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said: “The security situation in the Middle East is definitely getting more complicated.
“This is a country against country attack. If Israel responds with the same, there will be an escalation,” Zapryanov told the briefing.
He said that terrorist actions by Islamist organisations are also possible in European countries and measures are needed to ensure security in Bulgaria.
It is possible that there will be full-scale war if the UN Security Council and the major countries do not stop the escalation of Iran and Israel, Zapryanov said.
“In my estimation, we are already balancing on the edge,” he said.
In a statement on X on October 1, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said: “We strongly condemn the ongoing Iran missiles attacks on Israel and stand for the regional stability and the security of the State of Israel. Bulgaria reaffirms its call for regional deescalation.
In recent days, the Foreign Ministry has issued advisories to Bulgarian citizens against travel to Israel, Lebanon and Iran.
On October 2, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement: “I condemn yesterday’s ballistic missile attack launched by Iran against Israel in the strongest terms.
“Such actions threaten regional stability and escalate tensions in an already extremely volatile situation,” Von der Leyen said.
“I urge all parties to protect the life of innocent civilians”
The European Union continues to call for a ceasefire across the border with Lebanon, and in Gaza, and for the release of all hostages that are held since almost a year, she said.
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