Blinken sees ‘real urgency’ for ‘diplomatic resolution’ in Lebanon

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in London on Oct. 25, 2024. (Reuters)
  • Jordan’s foreign minister calls for pressure on Israel to end ‘ethnic cleansing’ during meeting with Blinken

LONDON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged Friday to work with “real urgency” for a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to spare civilians, but stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.
“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 said after meeting Lebanon’s prime minister in London, referring to calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Jordan’s foreign minister on Friday called for pressure on Israel to end “ethnic cleansing,” in strong remarks as he met in London.
Deploring the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, Ayman Safadi told Blinken: “We do see ethnic cleansing taking place, and that has got to stop.”