European Council President Antonio Costa has said the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is “excellent news” and “must now be implemented and verified on the ground.”

“It is essential that Israel and Lebanon engage in meaningful negotiations that deliver concrete results – for the sake of their peoples and the prospect of a sustainable peace,” Costa wrote on X.

“The EU will continue to support Lebanon. Empowering the authorities to disarm Hezbollah is the only sustainable solution for restoring Lebanon’s stability.”