Nations and organisations and Beirut react positively to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese authorities negotiated the pause with Israel after an historic meeting on Tuesday in the U.S with President Donald Trump making the announcement on Thursday 16 April.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, in a post on X, "I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the U.S. in facilitating it. I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive peace in the region. I urge everyone to fully respect the ceasefire and to comply with international law at all times.
I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the US in facilitating it.
I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 16, 2026
Guterres has been very vocal on the conflict and urged sides to maintain peace.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates released a statement on X, highlighting the matter of maintaining international coordination even as temporary peace holds.
“The Ministry emphasized the importance of continued effective international coordination to prevent further escalation and avert its humanitarian and security repercussions in the region,” the statement reads.
“This step represents a pivotal moment in the path towards establishing national security and stability. The Ministry also affirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and its continued support for the brotherly Lebanese people in achieving their aspirations for security, stability, development, and prosperity.”
The UAE has been a target of drone attacks from Iran in the wider conflict, which started on 28 February by Israel and the U.S.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, welcomed the ceasefire. "Europe will continue to call for the full respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And we will keep supporting the Lebanese people through substantial humanitarian aid," on a post on X.
I welcome the announced 10 day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by President Trump.
This is a relief, as this conflict has already claimed far too many lives.
Now, we need not just a temporary pause, but a path to permanent peace.
Europe will continue to call for… — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 16, 2026
António Costa, President of the European Council, who works closely with von der Leyen, called the agreement “excellent news” and stressed the need for implementation and verification. He wrote that the European Union will keep "empowering the authorities to disarm Hezbollah" and that this "is the only sustainable solution for restoring Lebanon’s stability".
The European Union has pledged more than €100 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described on X how the ceasefire is an important step toward stability.
“This is a crucial step to avoid the terrible suffering of the Lebanese people and for the stability of the Middle East. It is essential that all parties respect it and transform this opportunity into lasting peace, in full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon,” the ministry stated.
Antonio Tajani, Italy's Foreign Minister, also said the move was "crucial step forward for the stability of the entire Middle East".
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the announcement and reiterated its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed in a statement Jordan's absolute support for the Lebanese state in asserting its control and sovereignty over all Lebanese territories, confining arms to the hands of the state, reactivating its national institutions, the reform steps it has taken, and its efforts to preserve Lebanon's resources and the safety and unity of its lands,” it said.
Other nations affected by strikes during the wider Middle East conflict have spoken out. Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says they welcomed the ceasefire and joined their counterpart in Saudi Arabia in expressing importance to adhering to it and the stakeholders who helped reach it.
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The United States cast Israel-Lebanon talks held in Washington on Thursday as "productive and positive" and a State Department official said more discussions aimed at ending their conflict will continue on Friday.
European stock markets edged higher on Thursday (14 May) as technology shares boosted sentiment, although investors remained cautious over stalled U.S.-Iran talks and a closely watched summit between Washington and Beijing.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he left for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, a government source said on Wednesday, days after urging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid surging energy prices linked to the Iran war.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
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U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire that has reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The agreement came as two days of Washington-facilitated talks concluded with a decision to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
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