Biden thanks French President Emmanuel Macron and says that the United States and France will jointly contribute to the observance of the ceasefire.
The ceasefire will come into force at 3 a.m. on Wednesday Norwegian time.
Israel still reserves the right to self-defense if the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon breaks the ceasefire, Biden emphasizes.
Promise support
The United States and France further promise to cooperate on strengthening Lebanon’s government army as well as the country’s economy, says a joint announcement.
However, it will not be relevant to send American soldiers to southern Lebanon, where both Israeli forces and Hezbollah are to withdraw according to the agreement.
The border area will henceforth be patrolled by the Lebanese government army and the UN peacekeeping UNIFIL force, says Biden.
Hope for Gaza deal
According to him, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah also raises new hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas now has a choice, he says, and states that the US, in cooperation with Qatar, will in the coming days make another attempt to negotiate a cease-fire for Gaza as well.
– The people of Gaza have been through hell and deserve the fighting to end, says Biden, who repeats the demand that Hamas must release the remaining Israeli hostages.
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