US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet in London with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati as Washington appeals to Israel to keep its military campaign against Hezbollah short, a US official said according to AFP.

Blinken, at a news conference yesterday in Qatar, said that Israel was working to remove the “threat” of Hezbollah but there must ultimately be a diplomatic solution.

“We have been very clear that this cannot lead — should not lead — to a protracted campaign and that Israel must take the necessary steps to avoid civilian casualties and not endanger UN peacekeepers or the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Blinken said.