Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati continued his intensive diplomatic meetings in New York as part of his efforts to halt the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel.
During talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, Mikati underscored the urgency of securing a swift ceasefire with Israel while actively pursuing a diplomatic resolution. Following their discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Friday, Starmer’s office issued a statement expressing condolences to Mikati for the loss of civilian lives in recent weeks.
“After discussing the escalating conflict in Lebanon, both sides agreed on the importance of an immediate ceasefire and seeking solutions through negotiation,” the statement added.
In a separate meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mikati emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and highlighted the role of UNIFIL—the international forces stationed in southern Lebanon—in maintaining stability. Mikati urged UN humanitarian agencies to offer prompt assistance to Lebanon at this critical juncture.