Gaza ceasefire deal would reduce tensions in Lebanon, says Blinken

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has suggested a ceasefire deal in Gaza would help ease tensions in Lebanon, where there has been increasing clashes between Israel and armed groups.

“What I’ve heard from everyone concerned,” he told reporters in Qatar, “is there’s a strong preference for a diplomatic solution.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the best way also to empower a diplomatic solution to the north – in Lebanon – is a resolution of the conflict in Gaza and getting a ceasefire."

“That will take a tremendous amount of pressure out of the system,”