00:00Good afternoon.
00:05Today, I have some good news to report from the Middle East.
00:09I just spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel and Lebanon.
00:14I'm pleased to announce that their governments
00:16have accepted the United States' proposal
00:17to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
00:21And I want to thank President Macron of France
00:24for his partnership in reaching this moment.
00:26Under the deal reached today, effective at 4 a.m.
00:31tomorrow local time, the fighting across
00:34the Lebanese-Israeli border will end.
00:36Will end.
00:38This is designed to be a permanent cessation
00:41of hostilities.
00:43What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations
00:46will not be allowed — I emphasize,
00:49will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.
00:52We're determined this conflict will not be
00:55just another cycle of violence.
00:57And so, the United States, with the full support of France
01:01and our other allies,
01:03has pledged to work with Israel and Lebanon
01:05to ensure that this arrangement is fully implemented.
01:12Let me be clear.
01:14If Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal
01:17and poses a direct threat to Israel,
01:19then Israel retains the right to self-defense,
01:22consistent with international law,
01:25just like any country when facing a terrorist group
01:28pledged to that country's destruction.
01:31At the same time, this deal supports Lebanon's sovereignty.
01:36And so, it heralds a new start for Lebanon,
01:39a country that I've seen most of over the years,
01:42a country with rich history and culture.
01:45If fully implemented, this deal can put Lebanon
01:48on a path toward a future
01:49that's worthy of a significant pass.
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