UN Chief Welcomes New Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

NEW YORK, June 5 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire following the fourth high-level trilateral meeting in Washington involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives, his spokesman said on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Guterres reaffirms the United Nations' support for all efforts to end the hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line, a border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel established by the world body in 2000, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, said in a statement.

"He (Guterres) urges all actors to fully respect the cessation of hostilities, to cease any further attacks, and to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times," said the statement.

Guterres reiterates his call on Hezbollah and other non-state actors to abide by the decisions of the Lebanese government to extend its authority throughout its territory and to advance the exclusive control over weapons by the state. He also calls on Israel to withdraw completely from north of the Blue Line, in full respect for Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the statement.

The United Nations is committed to supporting all diplomatic efforts in reinforcing the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which was intended to resolve 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, it said.

The secretary-general hopes that negotiations will continue and that the ceasefire agreement will contribute to lasting peace and stability, said the statement. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA