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Added on the 14/10/2021 19:58:12 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in calls Monday urged all sides in the Middle East to avoid "escalation," his spokesman says, as fears grew of an imminent Iranian counterattack on Israel. "It's important that all parties take steps over the coming days to refrain from escalation and calm tensions," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters, describing Blinken's telephone calls in the region. SOUNDBITE
The United Nations Security Council extends the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon for a year, calling for a "de-escalation" of a recent surge in violence between Israel and armed group Hezbollah. The unanimously adopted resolution says the council "decides to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL until 31st August 2025," referring to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. IMAGES
Images show aircrafts at Beirut airport as Middle East tensions skyrocket following the killings last week of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike on a Beirut suburb and of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a strike on Tehran attributed to Israel. IMAGES
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Middle East rivals to agree to a Gaza ceasefire to "break this cycle" of violence, urging de-escalation as Iran prepares a potential strike on Israel. "Escalation is not in anyone's interests. It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity. It's also critical that we break this cycle by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza," Blinken tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States warns against an "escalation" in Lebanon after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of an operation, saying conflict would only harm Israeli security. "We don't want to see that escalation of the conflict which would just lead to further loss of life from both Israelis and the Lebanese people and would greatly harm Israel's overall security and stability in the region," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE