The outgoing president of the European Council called for avoiding a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Anadolu Agency reports.

Charles Michel, who earlier announced that former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa had been elected to replace him, said at a joint news conference following a European Council meeting in Brussels that the bloc will continue to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He also stressed the need to “avoid any further escalation” amid rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.