Blinken meets Lebanon's Mikati, Jordan's Safadi in London meeting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Friday to work with "real urgency" for a diplomatic resolution to end Israel's offensive in Lebanon but said it was first critical to reach understandings on disarmament of Hezbollah.

Meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in London, Blinken also pleaded for protections of civilians but stopped short of urging an immediate ceasefire by Israel, which relies on US diplomatic and military support.

"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 told reporters, saying he was "intensely engaged".

Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 after an earlier war, calls for the disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon - an allusion to Iranian-backed Shia movement Hezbollah, which effectively runs its own military - and for a full Israeli withdrawal from the country.

Blinken said it was critical to "get the understandings that are necessary for the full implementation of 1701".

"The sooner we're able to do that, the sooner we're able to get a resolution," Blinken said.

He called for protections in the meantime of both civilians and Lebanese soldiers, at least 11 of whom have died since Israel launched its offensive a month ago.

"We want to make sure that in places like Beirut, there is a real effort to make sure that people are unharmed and civilians are not caught up in this crossfire," Blinken said.

The United States has called for the empowerment of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the fragile central government in Beirut so they can take charge of security and sideline Hezbollah.

Mikati, attending a conference on Lebanon on Thursday in Paris, said that only the state and Lebanese army should carry arms.

Hezbollah has fired missiles at Israel in solidarity with Gaza following Hamas 7 October 2023 attack prompted an Israeli retaliation that has killed over 42,000 Palestinians in the enclave. 

Mikati made no remarks before the press when meeting Blinken, however a statement issued by his office said that he stressed to Blinken on the necessity of placing the ceasefire in Lebanon as a priority, especially since the Israel caused the displacement of 1.4 million Lebanese, pointing to the increase in violations by Israel and its violation of all international laws and norms.

Mikati also stressed Lebanon's commitment to implementing Resolution 1701 as it is, without amendment.

"What is required first is a real commitment by Israel to a ceasefire, because the previous experience related to the US-French call for ceasefire, supported by the Arabs and internationally, affected everyone's credibility."

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called on his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, to put pressure on Israel to stop its "ethnic cleansing," during their meeting in London on Friday.

Safadi held extensive discussions with Blinken on joint efforts to stop the dangerous escalation in the region.

Commenting on the Israeli military operation in northern Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation, Al-Safadi said: "We see ethnic cleansing taking place, and this must stop."

The discussions also addressed the need to stop the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, the importance of delivering humanitarian aid in an adequate and sustainable manner, and fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in full.

The two sides discussed the need to stop the dangerous Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank, in addition to the common interest in strengthening the established and strong strategic relations between the two friendly countries in various fields.