Foreign ministers from 17 countries, including the UK, have urged Israel and Lebanon to “seize this opportunity” ahead of talks between the two nations in Washington, AFP reports.

Britain’s foreign ministry posted the ministers’ joint statement saying “direct negotiations can pave the way to bring lasting security for Lebanon and Israel as well as the region”.

The countries included the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.