ALBAWABA - The United States along with the European Union and 8 other countries released a statement calling on Lebanon and Israel to sign a temporary ceasefire, following steep escalation in the last few days.
The US, Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar described the situation between the two nations as "intolerable" since Oct. 8.
"The situation presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation. This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon," the statement reads.
According to the statement, it is time to achieve a diplomatic settlement that would allow displaced people to their homes.
"Thus we call for an immediate 21-day cease-fire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a cease-fire in Gaza," the statement continued.
They also stated that they are willing to completely support all diplomatic attempts to reach an agreement between Lebanon and Israel during this time.
In a previous joint statement, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the exchange of fire might lead to a much larger conflict and harm to people.
"We therefore have worked together in recent days on a joint call for a temporary cease-fire to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and avoid further escalations across the border. We call for broad endorsement and for the immediate support of the governments of Israel and Lebanon," said the statement.
