Keir Starmer and world leaders urge Israel to cease Lebanon assault after Iran ceasefire
In a statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, welcomed the ceasefire
Smoke and debris rise after a building is hit by an Israeli airstrike in the area of Abbasiyeh, on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on April 8(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Keir Starmer and world leaders have demanded Israel end its assault on Lebanon as they called for the US-Iran ceasefire to be permanent.
The Prime Minister travelled to Saudi Arabia today for talks with Gulf leaders to push for a long-term resolution to the conflict.
His visit comes after Donald Trump walked back from his apocalyptic threats overnight and agreed to a two-week ceasefire just hours before his deadline for Iran to make a deal expired.
The US President had threatened a “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane which had been blockaded by Tehran.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to bombard Lebanon where it is battling Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.
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In a statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, welcomed the ceasefire.
“We strongly encourage quick progress towards a substantive negotiated settlement,” they said. “This will be crucial to protect the civilian population of Iran and ensure security in the region. It can avert a severe global energy crisis.
“We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners. We call upon all sides to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.
“Our governments will contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Prime Minister will hold talks with Gulf leaders on how best to support the pause in fighting and to hammer out a way to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas shipping route. Its effective closure has sent global oil prices rocketing.
Mr Starmer is also expected to meet British military personnel and to thank armed forces from allied countries who are posted in the region.
