In a significant diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks. This announcement followed a high-level meeting at the White House involving representatives from both nations, aimed at bolstering regional stability.
The meeting, which Trump described as "very well" on his Truth Social platform, saw discussions on US support for Lebanon against the Hezbollah militant group. Trump stated that the United States would work with Lebanon to help protect itself and revealed plans to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the "near future."
The ceasefire, initially announced on April 16, had temporarily halted hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter expressed optimism, noting that Israel and Lebanon "have never been next to each other more than today." Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad thanked Trump for presiding over "this historic moment," echoing hopes for peace.
Trump reiterated that any future agreement with Iran must include an end to its backing of proxy groups like Hezbollah in the Middle East. This stance underscores the interconnected nature of regional conflicts, as efforts to secure the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire unfold alongside stalled US-Iran peace talks and other security challenges.
The extension comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, including a US bounty on an Iranian-backed militia leader in Iraq and disputes over seized oil tankers, highlighting the complex landscape shaping Asia's periphery and global affairs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
