UNITED NATIONS April 24, 2026 – UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the three-week extension of the temporary cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, describing it as a step toward dialogue and lasting peace in the region.
The extension, announced following U.S.-brokered talks at the White House, builds on an initial 10-day truce that took effect on April 16, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump facilitated the agreement during high-level discussions involving ambassadors from both nations.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres commended the United States for its role and urged full compliance from all parties.
“I welcome the announcement of a three-week extension to the cessation of hostilities arrangement to enable dialogue between Lebanon & Israel, and commend the role of the US in facilitating the extension,” Guterres wrote.
He stressed the need for immediate de-escalation: “Everyone must fully respect the cessation of hostilities, cease any further attacks & comply with their obligations under international law.”
Guterres called on Hezbollah and other non-state actors to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty. “I call on Hizbullah & other non-State actors to abide by the decisions of Lebanon to extend its authority throughout its territory & advance the exclusive control of arms by the State.”
He also urged Israel to complete its withdrawal: “I call on Israel to withdraw completely from north of the Blue Line.”
The Blue Line is the United Nations-demarcated boundary established in 2000 following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Guterres concluded with a message of hope: “I hope that this agreement will contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive peace in the region.”
The development comes amid fragile border tensions that reignited earlier in 2026. The initial ceasefire had significantly reduced violence, though sporadic incidents were reported. The three-week extension aims to create space for further negotiations on a more permanent security arrangement.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments as diplomatic efforts progress.
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