EU’s Borrell welcomes ceasefire deal, urges implementation
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has welcomed the ceasefire deal, saying it is a “relief in the devastating situation in the Middle East”.
“I want to praise France and the US for their mediation. It is now crucial that the ceasefire holds,” Borrell said.
Borrell called on Lebanese leaders to “take up their political responsibility by electing a president”, saying the Lebanese people are “entitled to regain full sovereignty on the country’s affairs”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also says the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah will increase Lebanon’s “internal security and stability”.
The announcement was welcome news “first and foremost for the Lebanese and Israeli people affected by the fighting”, Von der Leyen said on X.
“Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability thanks to Hezbollah’s reduced influence.”
US-France welcome ceasefire
A ceasefire to end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon will protect Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and create the conditions for a “lasting calm”, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement.
“The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations operating from Lebanon,” the two leaders said, adding that the deal “will create the conditions to restore lasting calm”.
The US and France will work “to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented” and lead international efforts for the “capacity-building” of the Lebanese Army, they added.
After Israel’s cabinet approved the ceasefire, Biden called the ceasefire “good news”.Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has also welcomed the truce deal.
The United States will coordinate with the Lebanese Army to deter potential violations of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, but there will not be US combat troops in the area, a news report quoted a “senior US official” as saying.
‘Ray of hope for the entire region’: Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed a US- and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, hailing it as “a ray of hope for the entire region”.
“People on both sides of the border want to live in genuine and lasting security,” Baerbock said in a statement, calling the deal “a success for diplomacy”.
Truce to be turned into a lasting political solution: London
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations.
He praised the “long overdue” cessation of hostilities and called for the truce to be “turned into a lasting political solution in Lebanon”.
“We must see immediate progress towards a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the removal of restrictions on desperately needed humanitarian aid,” he said in a post on X.
Starmer vowed to be at the “forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East”.
The British Prime Minister's use of "truce" rather than "ceasefire" highlights his awareness of the agreement's fragility and his acknowledgment of Netanyahu's view that it is merely a temporary measure.
Lebanese PM Calls for Displaced People to Return Their Homes
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