Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said he is “optimistic” for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, as Middle East tensions dominate a G7 meeting near Rome, AFP reports.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the talks in the towns of Fiuggi and Anagni with ministers from Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and host Italy.

“I am optimistic about Lebanon,” Tajani told a press conference as international efforts for a ceasefire intensify — even if it was “more complicated than Gaza”.

“We are strongly committed to strongly pushing Israel and Hamas to end this war in Palestine,” he said.

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