World leaders have welcomed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which came into force on Wednesday morning (0200 GMT).
Here are key reactions from around the world.
United States and France
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will protect Israel from the threat of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and create the conditions for a "lasting calm", US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said ahead of the truce coming into force.
"The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon," the leaders said in a joint statement.
The United States and France will work "to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented" and lead international efforts for "capacity-building" of the Lebanese army, they added.
Biden welcomed the deal as "good news" and also said the United States would lead a fresh effort to secure a truce between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
Macron said the Lebanon ceasefire should "open the path" for an ending to the war in Gaza.
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Biden for his "involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement".
He told Biden in a call that he appreciated the US leader's "understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it", according to Netanyahu's office.
Ahead of Israel's approval of the deal, Netanyahu said the "length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon" and the truce would allow Israel to "intensify" pressure on Hamas and focus on the "Iranian threat."
Iran
Iran, a backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, welcomed the end of Israel's "aggression" in Lebanon after the ceasefire came into force.
"Welcoming the news" of the end of Israel's "aggression against Lebanon," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement, stressing Iran's "firm support for the Lebanese government, nation, and resistance".
Qatar
Qatar said it hoped the deal would lead to a truce in Gaza, where it has been a key mediator.
"The State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the Lebanese Republic and expresses its hope that it will lead to a similar agreement to halt the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and the Israeli assaults on the occupied West Bank," Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire and praised countries involved in negotiating it.
The Gulf kingdom "appreciates all international efforts made in this regard", the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on social media, referring to the support of the United States and France.
Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the deal, hailing it as "a ray of hope for the entire region".
"People on both sides of the border want to live in genuine and lasting security," Baerbock said in a statement, calling the deal "a success for diplomacy".
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised a "long overdue" ceasefire that would "provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations" of both Israel and Lebanon.
Calling for the truce to be "turned into a lasting political solution in Lebanon," Starmer vowed to be at the "forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East."
China
China said Wednesday it welcomed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"We support all efforts conducive to easing tensions and achieving peace and welcome the agreement reached by relevant parties on a ceasefire," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a regular briefing.
European Union
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the "very encouraging news" of the ceasefire, saying it would increase Lebanon's "internal security and stability".
The announcement was welcomed news "first and foremost for the Lebanese and Israeli people affected by the fighting", Von der Leyen said on X.
"Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability thanks to Hezbollah's reduced influence," she said.
United Nations
A top UN official welcomed the ceasefire agreement but warned that "considerable work lies ahead" to implement the deal.
"Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required," UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a statement.
Jordan
Jordan called the ceasefire "an important step that must be followed by an international effort to end the aggression against the Gaza Strip and Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank".
The ministry's spokesman, Sufyan Qudah, reaffirmed "the kingdom's support for its brotherly Lebanon, its security, stability, sovereignty and the protection of its citizens".
The statement also stressed "the need for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701", which served as the basis for the ceasefire.
The resolution ended the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, requiring only the Lebanese state's armed forces and UN peacekeepers to be present in Lebanon's south.
Jordan also expressed support for "strengthening Lebanon's national institutions, reconstruction, and providing the necessary economic aid to the country".
Iraq
Iraq welcomed the ceasefire, calling on the international community to act urgently to end Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.
A foreign ministry statement called for "multiplying international efforts to avoid any new escalation" along the Israel-Lebanon border, while also urging "serious, urgent steps to stop the continued massacres and violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip".
Houthis
Houthis on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire, calling the deal a "victory" for its Iran-backed ally.
"We salute the great steadfastness of Hezbollah and the dear Lebanese people in the face of the brutal Israeli aggression," Mohammed Abdul Salam, a spokesman for the group, posted on X. "Thanks to this steadfastness... Lebanon was able to achieve a new victory.
Turkey
Turkey said that it was ready to give Lebanon the "necessary support for the establishment of internal peace" hours after the ceasefire came into force.
Its foreign ministry hailed the halt in fighting that has killed thousands in Lebanon and said it hoped the ceasefire "will be permanent".
The international community must "exert pressure on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and to provide reparations for the damages it has caused," the government added.
The ministry also insisted that for "regional peace and stability, a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire must be declared in Gaza as soon as possible and Israel must cease its aggressive policies."
With AFP
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