China welcomes Israel-Lebanon cease-fire, stresses Gaza truce

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Wednesday welcomed a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon, stressing similar steps for a truce in the Palestinian besieged enclave of Gaza which is under Israeli bombardment for more than a year, state media reported.

Beijing “supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions and achieving peace, and welcomes the relevant parties reaching an agreement on a cease-fire,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in the Chinese capital.

However, Mao added: “Chinese side believes the failure to reach a cease-fire in Gaza is the root cause of the current turmoil in the Middle East.”

She urged all parties to “work together to achieve a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire in Gaza at an earlier date.”

The truce between Israel and Lebanon, brokered with US and French diplomatic efforts, came into effect at 0200GMT.

It took effect hours after US President Joe Biden said a proposal to end the conflict had been finalized, amid hopes it would stop Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese towns and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting.

More than 3,760 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.