Today's Edition
New York (dpa)
A group of countries including the United States and France has called for an "immediate ceasefire" on the border between Israel and Lebanon in a joint statement released by the White House.
"We call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement," reads the statement, also signed by Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the European Union.
"We call on all parties, including the Governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately ... and to give a real chance to a diplomatic settlement."
The statement called the situation between Lebanon and Israel "intolerable," saying it "presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation."
In a separate statement, US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, called for a settlement on the border "that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes."
The two leaders said they "have worked together in recent days on a joint call for a temporary ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border.
"The statement we have negotiated is now endorsed by the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. We call for broad endorsement and for the immediate support of the Governments of Israel and Lebanon."
