French-American proposal in the Security Council for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot revealed during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday a joint proposal with the United States to establish a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

“In recent days, we have worked with our American partners on a temporary ceasefire… for 21 days to allow for negotiations,” Barrow said during the session, which was held at his country’s request.

He added that this proposal "will be announced quickly and we are counting on both parties accepting it."

The French minister stressed that the outbreak of a comprehensive war between Israel and Hezbollah is “not inevitable,” calling on all parties to engage “firmly” in a peaceful solution to the conflict.

For his part, the US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations said that Washington is working with other countries on a proposal that "we hope will lead to calm and allow discussions on a diplomatic solution," adding that Resolution 1701 is the only way "to permanently stop the escalation and enable the displaced in Israel and Lebanon to return to their homes."

Earlier, media sources revealed American efforts to achieve a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon and resume negotiations in Gaza, after four days of intensive Israeli bombardment, amid warnings of a catastrophic expansion of the conflict.

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper quoted a source close to the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as saying, “Serious efforts are being intensified these hours with the United States of America in order to calm down and reduce the military escalation between Hezbollah and the Israeli occupation.”

Israel has been launching a massive air attack on Lebanon since last Monday, which has so far killed more than 600 people and injured 2,000 others, in addition to extensive destruction of residential areas and infrastructure.

Source: Yemen Youth Net + Agencies