US President Joe Biden praised the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, calling it “good news” during a speech in the Rose Garden on Tuesday. The agreement aims to achieve a 60-day pause in hostilities, with the goal of eventually leading to a permanent cessation of violence.
The Israeli Security Cabinet approved the ceasefire in a 10-1 vote, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recommendation. Biden emphasized that in the next 60 days, the Lebanese army and state security forces will deploy in southern Lebanon, while Israel will gradually withdraw its forces. He also reiterated the US’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense if the ceasefire is violated.
French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the ceasefire, calling it a “new page” for Lebanon. Macron stressed the importance of the agreement being respected to ensure the security of both Lebanese and Israelis. Other world leaders, including Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, expressed support for the deal.
However, the ceasefire agreement does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Biden stated that the US will work with other countries, including Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas. The president emphasized the need for a Palestinian state and the release of hostages as part of any future agreement.
The ceasefire agreement has been met with mixed reactions, with criticism from Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and continued violence in Lebanon, including an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The US remains committed to working towards peace in the Middle East and hopes to establish historic agreements between various countries in the region.
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