ISTANBUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that tensions in the Middle East have reached an alarming level following airstrikes on Iran, pledging to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.In Ankara, Erdogan said that the regional situation had become extremely scary after the strikes and that hundreds of civilians, including innocent children, had lost their lives.He said Türkiye would remain vigilant in safeguarding its borders and airspace.If a risk to our country's security arises, we will take all necessary measures in coordination with our allies, he said.Türkiye will continue multi-faceted diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed in the region and stop tensions from escalating to an irreversible point, he said.

Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition Jacques Assahore Konan on Thursday said progress had been made by Cote d'Ivoire in its fight against deforestation.

Israeli military says it has begun new "broad-scale" airstrikes in Iran

Israeli warplanes launched a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs late Thursday, hours after Israel warned all residents to evacuate the entire Dahieh area, local broadcaster al-Jadeed reported.

Venezuela announces restoration of diplomatic relations with US

KUWAIT CITY, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's Ministry of Defense said on Friday that 67 personnel from the Kuwaiti Armed Forces were injured amid recent security developments, according to a briefing by the Government Communication Center in the country.Saud Al-Atwan, the defense ministry's official spokesman, said the injured personnel are receiving medical treatment and that their conditions are stable. Two cases remain under medical observation, he added.Al-Atwan said the Kuwaiti Armed Forces remain at the highest level of readiness, maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of developments in coordination with military and security authorities as well as other state institutions.He said the measures are part of a comprehensive national system aimed at protecting the country's security and ensuring the safety of citizens and residents.The military spokesman also said Kuwaiti defense systems have so far detected and dealt with 212 ballistic missiles and 394 drones launched in attacks targeting the country's airspace during the past days.On Saturday, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as members of his family, high-ranking military commanders, and civilians, according to Iranian officials. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East.