US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Friday to work with “real urgency” for a diplomatic resolution to end Israel’s offensive in Lebanon but said it was first critical to reach understandings on disarmament of Hezbollah.
Meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London, Blinken also pleaded for protections of civilians but stopped short of urging an immediate ceasefire by Israel, which relies on US diplomatic and military support.
“We have a sense of real urgency in getting to a diplomatic resolution and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, such that there can be real security along the border between Israel and Lebanon,” Blinken told reporters, saying he was “intensely engaged”.
Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 after an earlier war, calls for the disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon — an allusion to Iranian-funded Shiite movement Hezbollah, which effectively runs its own military — and for a full Israeli withdrawal from the country.
Blinken said it was critical to “get the understandings that are necessary for the full implementation of 1701”.
“The sooner we’re able to do that, the sooner we’re able to get a resolution,” Blinken said.
He called for protections in the meantime of both civilians and Lebanese soldiers, at least 11 of whom have died since Israel launched its offensive a month ago.