Blinken wants to 'lay foundation' for a 'more durable peace' in Middle East

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon were in the final stages and that a deal could help end the Gaza conflict.

He was speaking as Israel's security cabinet convened to discuss a proposed ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as a flurry of air strikes hit central Beirut. Blinken said that after months of "intensive diplomatic effort" with partners including France, working with Lebanon and Israel, he hoped to reach a conclusion "very soon".

The G7 nations had discussed how to "lay the foundation for a more durable peace now that Israel has achieved its strategic goals in the wake of October 7th in Gaza.