Washington, April 15, (dpa/GNA) – Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and seven other countries, on Tuesday called for an “urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon” in a joint statement, citing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and displacement crisis.
The countries said civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected from the effects of the fighting. They welcomed a recent two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States, Israel and Iran, but said the guns must also fall silent in Lebanon.
The appeal follows an initial meeting between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington, aimed at paving the way for direct negotiations between the warring sides.
The conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon has escalated again amid the Iran war. Israel has accused the Lebanese government of failing to disarm the group, which has long operated as a state within a state.
The 10 countries also called for respect for international humanitarian law to safeguard human dignity, limit harm to civilians and allow the delivery of aid.
“We condemn in the strongest terms actions that have killed UN peacekeepers and significantly increased the risks faced by humanitarian personnel in southern Lebanon,” the statement said.
Three UN peacekeepers were killed in incidents in southern Lebanon in late March, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). One attack on March 29 was carried out by an Israeli tank, while another on March 30 was caused by an explosive device planted by Hezbollah, initial UNIFIL findings showed.
The UN has deployed peacekeepers along the border since 1978, with about 7,500 troops from nearly 50 countries currently serving.
The statement was signed by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the UK.
GNA