Wed Nov 27 04:24:05 UTC 2024: ## International Leaders Hail Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire
**BEIRUT/JERUSALEM** – A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, effective Wednesday morning (0200 GMT), has been met with widespread international relief and cautious optimism. World leaders lauded the agreement, emphasizing the need for its full implementation and the potential for lasting peace in the region.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a joint statement, declared the ceasefire would protect Israel from Hezbollah and create conditions for lasting calm. They pledged to support the implementation of the agreement and to strengthen the Lebanese army. Biden also announced renewed efforts to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Macron similarly expressed hope that the Lebanon ceasefire would pave the way for ending the Gaza conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Biden for his role in securing the agreement, while stating that Israel would maintain its freedom of action to enforce the terms. He suggested the ceasefire’s duration depends on developments in Lebanon and that it allows Israel to focus on pressuring Hamas and countering Iranian influence.
Iran, a key backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, welcomed the end of what it termed “Israel’s aggression” in Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also expressed gratitude to the US and France, highlighting the ceasefire as a crucial step towards regional stability and reiterating his government’s commitment to bolstering the Lebanese army’s presence in the south.
Other international leaders voiced similar support. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the deal a “success for diplomacy,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged that the truce be transformed into a lasting political solution. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the ceasefire as “very encouraging news,” emphasizing its potential to enhance Lebanon’s security and stability. The United Nations, while welcoming the agreement, stressed the need for unwavering commitment from both parties to ensure its successful implementation. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, cautioned that significant work remains ahead.
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