Saudi Arabia pressed US to secure a Lebanon ceasefire to preserve Iran negotiations, sources say

Saudi Arabia pushed the US to prioritise securing a ceasefire in Lebanon in order to sustain talks with Iran, as the kingdom shifts to mediation efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, multiple US, western, and Arab officials told Middle East Eye.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed US President Donald Trump on the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon in a private phone call on Wednesday, the Arab and western officials told MEE.

Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday afternoon, which several of the officials attributed to the kingdom’s lobbying.

It is still unclear whether Israel will comply with the agreement and how much pressure Trump will put on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has criticised the Lebanese government for engaging in rare direct talks with Israel.

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