US President Joe Biden has praised the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, calling it “good news” and emphasizing his hope for a permanent cessation of hostilities. The agreement, which came into effect at 4AM local time on Wednesday, aims to allow the Lebanese army and state security forces to deploy and take control of the territory, while preventing Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure from being rebuilt. The US has pledged its continued support for Israel, with Biden warning that Israel retains the right to self-defense if the deal is violated.
French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as a “new page” for Lebanon and emphasizing the importance of restoring stability and sovereignty to the region. 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 their support for the agreement.
However, the deal does not address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Biden stating that the US will work with other countries to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas. The US president emphasized the need for the release of hostages as a key component of any future agreements in the region. The Biden administration’s veto of a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza last week, which did not include the release of hostages as a condition, underscores the complexity of the situation. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office in January, has also expressed his commitment to bringing peace to the Middle East without specifying a detailed plan.
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