Biden says Lebanon, 'Israel' agreed to ceasefire proposal
4 Min Read
Biden says the US and France would ensure that the deal was fully implemented, adding that no US troops would be deployed to southern Lebanon.
-
US President Joe Biden speaks about a ceasefire in Lebanon, in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 26, 2024. (AFP)
The governments of "Israel" and Lebanon have accepted a proposal to end the war, US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, describing the latest development as "good news".
"I just spoke with the prime ministers of Israel and Lebanon and I'm pleased to announce that their governments have accepted the United States' proposal to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah," he said.
During remarks from the White House, Biden confirmed that the ceasefire deal will take effect on Wednesday starting at 4 am local time.
"This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," he added, thanking French President Emmanuel Macron for his "partnership in reaching this moment."
Biden said that the Lebanese Army would regain control over its territory following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon over next 2 months
“Over the next 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces and civilians — civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities and begin to rebuild their homes,” the US president indicated.
Echoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's earlier statements, Biden said "Israel" “retains the right to self-defense” in the event that Hezbollah, or any other party, allegedly violates the newly announced agreement.
“Let me be clear, if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense, consistent with international law.”
It is noteworthy that "Israel" had violated Resolution 1701 thousands of times since the end of the July 2006 war, conducting recurrent overflights over Lebanese airspace, and has attempted to infringe on Lebanese territory numerous times over the years.
Biden further said that the US and France would ensure that the deal was fully implemented but further claimed that no US troops would be deployed to southern Lebanon.
Another push for Gaza ceasefire
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Biden noted that the US, Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and the Israeli occupation entity would "make another push" in the coming days for a ceasefire.
He expressed that the people of Gaza “deserve an end of the fighting and displacement," as Israeli airstrikes continue to target the besieged Palestinian Strip.
Seeking to attribute the ceasefire agreement to the effort of his administration, Biden said the acceptance of the proposal by both "Israel" and Lebanon “brings us closer to the realizing the affirmative agenda” of his presidency, which, according to him, envisions a Middle East that is “at peace and prosperous, and integrated across borders.”
Elsewhere, he revealed that Washington would also push for a deal to normalize relations between Tel Aviv and Riyadh.
Deal will create conditions to restore lasting calm: Biden, Macron
In a related context, Biden and Macron praised "many weeks of tireless diplomacy," and affirmed that the agreement "will create the conditions to restore lasting calm."
In a joint statement, the two presidents said the US and France will collaborate "to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented, and enforced, and remain determined to prevent this conflict from becoming another cycle of violence."
Additionally, both countries will lead international efforts to build the capacity of the Lebanese Army, as stated.
The joint statement also outlined Washington and Paris' commitment to supporting economic development across Lebanon "to advance stability and prosperity in the region."
Read more: Israeli settlers furious after looming ceasefire deal approval
