PARIS, Nov 27, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - World leaders have welcomed a ceasefire
deal between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which came into
force on Wednesday morning (0200 GMT).

Here are key reactions from around the world.

- United States and France -

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will protect Israel from the threat
of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and create the conditions for a
"lasting calm", US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron
said ahead of the truce coming into force.

"The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel
from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from
Lebanon," the leaders said in a joint statement.

The United States and France will work "to ensure this arrangement is fully
implemented" and lead international efforts for "capacity-building" of the
Lebanese army, they added.

Biden welcomed the deal as "good news" and also said the United States would
lead a fresh effort to secure a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant
group Hamas in Gaza.

Macron said the Lebanon ceasefire should "open the path" for an ending to the
war in Gaza.

- Israel -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Biden for his
"involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement".

He told Biden in a call that he appreciated the US leader's "understanding
that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it", according
to Netanyahu's office.

Ahead of Israel's approval of the deal, Netanyahu said the "length of the
ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon" and the truce would allow
Israel to "intensify" pressure on Hamas and focus on the "Iranian threat".

- Lebanon -

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the ceasefire was a "fundamental
step" towards restoring stability in the region.

Thanking France and the United States for their involvement, Mikati also
reiterated his government's commitment to "strengthen the army's presence in
the south".

- Germany -

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the deal, hailing it as "a
ray of hope for the entire region".

"People on both sides of the border want to live in genuine and lasting
security," Baerbock said in a statement, calling the deal "a success for
diplomacy".

- United Kingdom -

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised a "long overdue" ceasefire that
would "provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations" of both
Israel and Lebanon.

Calling for the truce to be "turned into a lasting political solution in
Lebanon", Starmer vowed to be at the "forefront of efforts to break the
ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the
Middle East".

- European Union -

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the "very encouraging news" of the
ceasefire, saying it would increase Lebanon's "internal security and
stability".

The announcement was welcomed news "first and foremost for the Lebanese and
Israeli people affected by the fighting", Von der Leyen said on X.

"Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability
thanks to Hezbollah's reduced influence," she said.

- United Nations -

A top UN official welcomed the ceasefire agreement, but warned that
"considerable work lies ahead" to implement the deal.

"Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is
required," UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert,
said in a statement.