Saudi Arabia has on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement that took effect between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that the Kingdom appreciates all the international efforts made in this regards. It also expressed hope that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and to ensure the safe return of displaced Lebanese to their homes.
On Wednesday, a ceasefire came into force between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, after nearly 14 months of fighting.
Since October 2023, Hezbollah has been launching rocket attacks on northern Israel in solidarity with Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel responded with launching strikes on Lebanon, killing Hezbollah’s senior commanders, and starting a limited ground invasion.
On Tuesday, the US President, Joe Biden, announced a ceasefire agreement, brokered by the US and France, that will “end the fighting in Lebanon” and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other organizations, reported Reuters. Biden said that the deal is “designed to be permanent.”
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel will have 60 days to gradually withdraw its troops from Lebanon, while Lebanon’s army takes control of the territory near the borders. Meanwhile, Hezbollah will end its presence in the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River over the same 60 days.
However, the ceasefire deal does not address the ongoing war in Gaza.
After the agreement went into effect, residents started returning to the destroyed villages in southern Lebanon, although the Israeli and Lebanese militaries urged them to delay returning until further notice.
