The United States, France and several allies have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intense discussions at the United Nations, Reuters reports.

The ceasefire would apply to the Israel-Lebanon “Blue Line”, the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, and would allow the parties to negotiate towards a potential diplomatic resolution of the conflict, a senior Biden administration official said.

“We call on all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately,” according to a joint statement of the countries released by the White House.

The allies that signed the joint statement included Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the European Union.

A senior White House official said Biden had been focused on the possibility of a ceasefire “in almost every conversation he had with world leaders” at the UN General Assembly this week.

 Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Tyre, Lebanon on Sept 25, 2024. — Reuters
Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Tyre, Lebanon on Sept 25, 2024. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Kabul visit
Updated 26 Mar, 2025

Kabul visit

Islamabad should continue to emphasise that presence of terrorists on Afghan soil stands in the way of normal commercial ties.
Drought warning
26 Mar, 2025

Drought warning

DRIVEN by rising temperatures linked to climate change, increasing drought events across Pakistan have affected tens...
Deadly roads
26 Mar, 2025

Deadly roads

DESPITE daytime restrictions on heavy vehicles, Karachi continues to witness one horrific traffic accident after...
Shortcut tactics
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Shortcut tactics

IMF’s decision to veto move to reduce retail power tariffs seems to be against interests of middle-class consumers.
Unforced error
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Unforced error

State must not push ordinary citizens away with its excesses when dealing with Balochistan.
Losing again
25 Mar, 2025

Losing again

WHEN Pakistan’s high-risk Twenty20 approach did not work, there was no fallback plan and they collapsed in a heap...