Lebanon ceasefire possible in the next few weeks

31/10/2024 6:04

        Cypriot President Nikos
        Christodoulides on Wednesday said he and President Joe Biden
        discussed U.S. efforts to halt hostilities between Israel and
        Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, and expressed optimism that a
        ceasefire could be reached in the next weeks.
        
        Christodoulides, speaking after his meeting with Biden at
        the White House, said the two leaders discussed the U.S.
        efforts, but declined to give any details.
        
        White House officials Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein
        will visit Israel on Thursday to engage on a range of issues
        "including Gaza, Lebanon, hostages, Iran and broader regional
        matters," a U.S. official said earlier.
        
        Two sources told Reuters that the U.S. proposal would start
        with a 60-day ceasefire to allowing full implementation of
        United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006
        to keep southern Lebanon free of arms outside state control.
        
        "The situation changes every day. Today, I'm kind of
        optimistic that we can reach a ceasefire in the next one, two
        weeks," Christodoulides said, underscoring the urgency of ending
        the fighting in the region.
        
        Christodoulides said Cyprus, a member of the European
        Union, was sending humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and stood
        ready to evacuate third country nationals in the region if
        needed.
        
        He said he had spoken recently with the leaders of Israel,
        Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon about the situation there, calling the
        push for a ceasefire in the region the most important concern.