US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday, which they said would potentially end all hostilities between the two countries.
This ceasefire would protect Israel from the threat of Iran-backed Hezbollah and create the conditions for a "lasting calm", the two heads of state said in a joint statement.
"The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon," they said, adding that the deal "will create the conditions to restore lasting calm".
The United States and France will work "to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented" and lead international efforts for "capacity-building" of the Lebanese army, they added.
French presidential envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is scheduled to arrive in Beirut Wednesday (tomorrow) to follow up on the ceasefire agreement with local authorities, according to a statement by the Elysee Palace,.
Biden welcomed the US and French-brokered ceasefire as "good news".
The deal will come into force on Wednesday at 4:00 am Beirut time (0200 GMT), Biden said, speaking at White House as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced his ministers had approved the deal.
He also added that the United States would lead a fresh effort to secure a truce in Gaza, stating that “Hamas have a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold, and, in the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief."
"Over the coming days, the United States will make another push with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. With the hostages released and the end of the war without Hamas in power, that becomes possible."
The Israeli government approved a truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for his "involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement".
Netanyahu's office said 10 ministers voted in favour and one opposed the agreement. In the call, Netanyahu told Biden that he appreciated his "understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it", his office said.
With AFP
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