UNSG, EU officials welcome ceasefire in Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agecnies
27 Nov 2024 03:56

Antonio Guterres welcomed a mediated ceasefire agreement reached by Lebanon and "Israel".

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Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati, left, shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on September 26, 2024. (AP)

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire deal reached between the Israeli regime and Lebanon, earlier on Tuesday, set to start at 4:00 am (local time) on Wednesday.

"I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. I hope that this agreement can put an end to the violence, suffering, and destruction both countries have been experiencing," Guterres poster on X.

European officials, including European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcome the move.

Borrell praised American and French mediation efforts that led to the ceasefire deal being agreed to by both sides.

"The agreement on a ceasefire in Lebanon is a relief in the devastating situation in the Middle East," he wrote on X.

"I want to praise France and the US for their mediation," he said, adding, "It is now crucial that the ceasefire holds, to guarantee the safety of both LEB & IL citizens, & the return of IDPs [internally displaced persons]."

The agreement, which stresses the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, will span for 60 days, as both sides assess the other's side's implementation of the Resolution 1701.

Borrell also called on Lebanese politicians and leaders to elect a President.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen said that the ceasefire is "very encouraging news."

Starmer stressed the need for the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, saying that the "UK and its allies will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East."

The UK prime minister also urged "immediate progress towards a ceasefire deal in Gaza."