France, US working to establish 21-day temporary cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel

NEW YORK

France and the US are working to establish a 21-day temporary cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel to allow for diplomatic negotiations, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation, Barrot said, "In recent days, we've worked with our American partners on a temporary cease-fire platform of 21 days to allow for negotiations."

“This platform will be made public very soon, and we are counting on both parties to accept it without delay in order to protect civilian populations and allow for diplomatic negotiations to begin,” he added.

He stressed that "war is not unavoidable" and expressed optimism for a diplomatic solution.

Addressing the 15-member Security Council, US Deputy Envoy to the UN Robert Wood echoed the call for calm, confirming that the US is working with other nations on the proposal.

"We are working with other countries on a proposal that we hope will lead to calm and enable discussions toward a diplomatic solution. We encourage the Security Council to lend its support for these diplomatic efforts in the coming days," Wood said.

However, Wood also reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah attacks, even as the US works to avert a broader war.

The UK has also worked with US and France to "formalize a wider demand for the cease-fire and a political plan to implement it," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

"We must say that the rockets must stop now. The airstrikes must stop now. Talks must start now. With an immediate cease-fire on both sides now," he told the Security Council.

Lebanon’s hospitals overwhelmed by civilian casualties

Israel's Ambassador to UN Danny Danon claimed that Israel's military actions in Lebanon were aimed at Hezbollah's command centers, missile launch sites, and weapons stores.

However, Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati rejected these claims, saying Lebanon’s hospitals are overwhelmed with civilian casualties, including women and children.

He said Lebanon is facing a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and human rights as a results of Israel’s “brutal practices” against the country and its people.

"Israel is violating our sovereignty, sending warplanes and drones into our skies, killing our civilians, and forcing families to flee under dire humanitarian conditions," Mikati told the Security Council.

Iran, Russia, China condemn Israel’s actions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed communication device blasts in Lebanon as a "new version of terrorism," calling for it to be "profoundly condemned" by all.

He warned that failing to do so would set a dangerous precedent for future terrorist acts.

“The only way to prevent further escalation is clear. Israel must immediately seize its war on Gaza and its attacks on Lebanon must stop. Without a cease-fire in Gaza, there would be no guarantee of peace in the region,” he asserted.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin condemned the "large-scale military attacks" on Lebanon and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. "We are ready to coordinate with international partners to de-escalate the situation and prevent a catastrophic scenario," he said.

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong also condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon, calling them a "mockery of international justice and law." He stressed that the Middle East cannot afford another war and emphasized the need to end "military adventurism" and "facilitate de-escalation."

EU warns against Lebanon becoming ‘another Gaza’

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the conflict in southern Lebanon is closely tied to the war in Gaza. "One influences the other, but we must do everything to prevent southern Lebanon from becoming another Gaza," he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said the world cannot afford for Lebanon to become another Gaza, emphasizing that an all-out war "must be avoided at all costs."