The United States and France announce a truce in Lebanon
American Presidents Joe Biden and French Presidents Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Speaking from the White House, Joe Biden said the truce would come into effect at 4:00 a.m. (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
In a joint statement with Emmanuel Macron published at the same time, the two heads of state declared that this ceasefire agreement “will see an end to the fighting in Lebanon and will protect Israel from the threat posed by Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon.
The agreement, they assure, “will create the necessary conditions for the lasting restoration of calm and will allow the safe return to their homes of inhabitants on both sides of the Blue Line”, the border between the two countries drawn by the United Nations .
“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced,” the joint statement further states.
“The United States and France are also committed to playing a leading role in supporting international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces and foster economic development throughout Lebanon to to promote stability and prosperity in the region.”
Israel said its security cabinet approved the deal by 10 votes to one.
(John Irish and Washington editorial, written by Jean-Stéphane Brosse)
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