Australia urges Middle East ceasefire in peace talks
Foreign Minister Penny Wong held talks with her Lebanese and Pakistani counterparts on a ceasefire in the Middle East, while uncertainty prevails in negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Senator Wong spoke throughout the night with Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar about the country’s role in mediating peace talks between Iran and the United States and advancing ceasefire efforts.
Following the talks, Senator Wong said, “I thanked Pakistan’s foreign minister for his country’s role in facilitating negotiations between the United States and Iran and for its efforts to build a regional consensus on what a long-term peace agreement could look like.” he said.
“We all want the negotiations to be successful to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz so that ships can pass safely and critical supplies can get to where they are needed.”
A one-on-one meeting was also held with Lebanese foreign minister Youssef Rajji about the necessity of a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
“I told the Lebanese foreign minister that Australia welcomes the US-brokered ceasefire by Israel and Lebanon and we continue to urge all parties to comply with it,” Senator Wong said. he said.
“We want the conflict to end through negotiations, Lebanon’s sovereignty to be respected and Hezbollah to be disarmed.”
The talks took place after US President Donald Trump said that extending the ceasefire with Iran was unlikely.
The ceasefire will end Wednesday night US time.
A new round of peace talks is still on the cards in Pakistan after the first attempt, in which US Vice President J.D. Vance led an American delegation, failed to reach agreement.
However, Iran has not yet confirmed whether the talks will continue.
Senator Wong said even if a decision was made quickly to end the conflict, the effects of the war would remain in Australia.
“Even if there is a ceasefire, we know that global supply pressures will continue for a while,” he said.
“The Albanian government is working with regional partners to secure supplies of oil, diesel and fertilizer to protect Australia from the worst effects of the conflict.”
