EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday welcomed the US-Lebanon-Israel framework agreement as a "critical step" away from conflict in the Middle East. "I welcome the agreement between Israel and Lebanon. This is a critical step away from escalation. Because there can be no peace in the Middle East with Lebanon in flames," she said in a statement posted on X, thanking Washington for its mediation role. "Key next steps are the disarmament of non-state groups and preserving Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity," she stressed. Von der Leyen added that "the EU stands ready to support this path to lasting regional stability, also with the continued delivery of much needed humanitarian aid with EUR100 million mobilized for the displaced."
