Blinken calls for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Lebanon

2024-10-25 15:20:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to work "urgently" for a diplomatic solution to end Israel's offensive in Lebanon, but said it was essential to first reach an understanding on disarming Hezbollah. .

Hezbollah is a militant group and political party that controls most of southern Lebanon. The United States has declared it a terrorist organization, while the European Union has only the group's political wing blacklisted. The Hezbollah party has seats in the Lebanese Parliament.

During a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najiv Mikati in London, Blinken also pledged to protect civilians but did not demand an immediate ceasefire from Israel, which is dependent on US diplomatic and military support.

"We have a sense of urgency to reach a diplomatic solution and fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 so that there is real security along the border between Israel and Lebanon," Blinken told reporters. , adding that he is "intensely" engaged. Resolution 1710, adopted in 2006 after a war between Israel and Hamas, calls for the disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon, a nod to Iran-funded Hezbollah, which has its own army. The resolution also calls for the complete withdrawal of Israel from the state.

Blinken said that it is essential to have "the necessary understanding for the full implementation of Resolution 1701".

"The sooner this is done, the sooner we will get to a solution," Blinken said.

He called for the protection of Lebanese civilians and soldiers, after at least 11 of them have been killed since Israel launched its ground offensive in Lebanon last month.

The US has called for strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and the fragile central government in Beirut so that security can be changed and Hezbollah can be pushed into the shadows.

Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati said that only the Lebanese state and army should have weapons.

Meanwhile, in a separate meeting with Blinken, the Foreign Minister of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, told the American diplomat that the Lebanese Government has made it clear that it will respect Resolution 1701.

"The aggression in Lebanon must be stopped immediately. Nothing can be justified by its continuation", said Safadi.

Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire on the border since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2024, after Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the US and the EU - attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping nearly 250. others. Since then, as a result of the Israeli offensive, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of October this year, tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalated and Israel announced the launch of a ground operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah./ Rel