UN chief welcomes Israeli cease-fire deal with Hezbollah

WASHINGTON

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed a recently brokered cease-fire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, urging the parties to "fully respect and swiftly implement" their commitments under the deal.

"The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon. He hopes that this agreement can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing," his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General urges the parties to fully respect and swiftly implement all of their commitments made under this agreement," he added.

He noted that the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) both "stand ready" to support the implementation of the agreement.

The UN chief also urged the parties to "undertake immediate steps towards" the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

In a separate statement, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, commended the parties on "seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter."

"This agreement marks the starting point of a critical process, anchored in the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), to restore the safety and security that civilians on both sides of the Blue Line deserve," she said.

"Considerable work lies ahead to ensure that the agreement endures. Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required," she added.

Israel’s security cabinet approved the cease-fire agreement with Lebanon on Tuesday evening.

US President Joe Biden confirmed that both Israel and Lebanon agreed to the deal, which will take effect at 4 a.m. local time (0200GMT) Wednesday.

The cease-fire deal will see the Lebanese Armed Forces "deploy and take control of" southern Lebanon over the course of the next 60 days, during which time, "Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces," the president said in televised remarks.