The United States, France and several allies have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intense discussions at the United Nations, Reuters reports.

The ceasefire would apply to the Israel-Lebanon “Blue Line”, the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, and would allow the parties to negotiate towards a potential diplomatic resolution of the conflict, a senior Biden administration official said.

“We call on all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately,” according to a joint statement of the countries released by the White House.

The allies that signed the joint statement included Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the European Union.

A senior White House official said Biden had been focused on the possibility of a ceasefire “in almost every conversation he had with world leaders” at the UN General Assembly this week.

 Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Tyre, Lebanon on Sept 25, 2024. — Reuters
Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Tyre, Lebanon on Sept 25, 2024. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.