Lebanese PM Believes Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Could Happen

JAKARTA - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his hope that a ceasefire could soon be reached to end the battle between Israel and Hezbollah which is feared to spread to ground attacks.

The United States, France, and some of its allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire on the Israel-Lebanon border and also expressed support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intensive discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday, September 25.

Mikati welcomed the ceasefire's call but said the key to its implementation was whether Israel, which had moved troops closer to Lebanon, was committed to upholding international resolutions.

"Hopefully so," Mikati told Reuters about the ceasefire's belief.

Mikati's interim government includes ministers elected by Hezbollah, widely seen as the country's most powerful political power.

The ceasefire will apply to Israel-Lebanon's Blue Gate, the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, and will allow both sides to negotiate towards a possible diplomatic settlement of the conflict, a senior Biden administration official said.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaet welcomed the call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to provide space for successful diplomacy.