LONDON: Britain is moving troops to Cyprus in position to help evacuate nationals trapped in Lebanon, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for diplomacy and an immediate ceasefire to bring Israel and Hezbollah back from the brink.
After Israeli airstrikes brought Lebanon’s deadliest day since the end of a 1975-1990 civil war, Starmer told British citizens to leave while there were still commercial flights.
“It’s very important that they hear my message, which is to leave and to leave immediately,” he told reporters.
The government said in a statement late on Tuesday that 700 troops would travel to Cyprus, bolstering its presence in the area where it already has two Royal Navy ships, aircraft and transport helicopters.
“Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now,” said Defense Secretary John Healey.
“Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate.”
The biggest Israeli airstrikes in nearly two decades against Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement have increased fears that nearly a year of conflict in Gaza will expand into a wider war destabilising the Middle East.
“I’m calling for all parties to step back from the brink, to de-escalate,” Starmer said. “We need a ceasefire so this can be sorted out diplomatically.”
Israel’s airstrikes since Monday morning have killed 569 people, including 50 children, and wounded 1,835 in Lebanon, Health Minister Firass Abiad has said.
The foreign minister said half a million people have fled their homes. Thousands of displaced people are sheltering in schools and other buildings.
Israel has said it is shifting its focus from Gaza to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.
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UK sends troops to Cyprus anticipating mass Lebanon evacuation
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UK sends troops to Cyprus anticipating mass Lebanon evacuation
- Starmer said he was very concerned that the region was spiralling out of control
Paraguay lawmakers approve defense agreement allowing an increased US military presence
ASUNCIÓN: Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday approved a defense agreement allowing the temporary presence of US military and civilian personnel inside its borders, widely seen as a victory for the Trump administration, which has sought to strengthen its presence in Latin America.
The Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, was approved by a large majority of lawmakers and now awaits the signature of President Santiago Peña to take effect. Peña, one of Trump’s closest allies in the region, is expected to sign the deal in the coming days.
The agreement passed with 53 votes in favor and eight against, and four abstentions out of a total 80 lawmakers. Fifteen were not present for the vote.
Signed by both countries in Washington in December, the agreement establishes a legal framework for the presence of US security forces in Paraguay for training, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance. It also authorizes the United States to have criminal jurisdiction over its personnel while in the country.
The treaty, praised as “historic” by both the US State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, was approved by the Paraguayan Senate last week, where debate was more polarized due to concerns over potential violations of sovereignty.
Some legislators argued against the agreement, citing a controversial provision to grant foreign troops immunity from prosecution, equivalent to that handed to diplomatic personnel.
“We believe in international cooperation, but we also believe in strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty,” said independent congressman Raúl Benítez.
Despite criticisms, Paraguay’s foreign minister backed the agreement, arguing in December that its main purpose is to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Paraguay in fighting transnational organized crime and “terrorism.” He also clarified that “there is no possibility of the installation of US military bases” in Paraguay.
Washington has also praised SOFA, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic agreement” that would help facilitate bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other shared security interests.
The approval of SOFA comes as Washington seeks to expand its influence in Latin America under the Trump administration’s national security strategy and as a sector of civil society in Paraguay continues to raise its voice against it.
“The security of a country is not built by importing troops or shielding foreign agents with diplomatic immunities,” said Peace and Justice Service, a civil organization which has a presence across Latin America, in a statement released days before the final vote. The treaty, it added, “does not represent progress in security, but rather the formalization of a geopolitics of impunity that undermines the pillars of our national dignity.”
The Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, was approved by a large majority of lawmakers and now awaits the signature of President Santiago Peña to take effect. Peña, one of Trump’s closest allies in the region, is expected to sign the deal in the coming days.
The agreement passed with 53 votes in favor and eight against, and four abstentions out of a total 80 lawmakers. Fifteen were not present for the vote.
Signed by both countries in Washington in December, the agreement establishes a legal framework for the presence of US security forces in Paraguay for training, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance. It also authorizes the United States to have criminal jurisdiction over its personnel while in the country.
The treaty, praised as “historic” by both the US State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, was approved by the Paraguayan Senate last week, where debate was more polarized due to concerns over potential violations of sovereignty.
Some legislators argued against the agreement, citing a controversial provision to grant foreign troops immunity from prosecution, equivalent to that handed to diplomatic personnel.
“We believe in international cooperation, but we also believe in strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty,” said independent congressman Raúl Benítez.
Despite criticisms, Paraguay’s foreign minister backed the agreement, arguing in December that its main purpose is to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Paraguay in fighting transnational organized crime and “terrorism.” He also clarified that “there is no possibility of the installation of US military bases” in Paraguay.
Washington has also praised SOFA, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic agreement” that would help facilitate bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other shared security interests.
The approval of SOFA comes as Washington seeks to expand its influence in Latin America under the Trump administration’s national security strategy and as a sector of civil society in Paraguay continues to raise its voice against it.
“The security of a country is not built by importing troops or shielding foreign agents with diplomatic immunities,” said Peace and Justice Service, a civil organization which has a presence across Latin America, in a statement released days before the final vote. The treaty, it added, “does not represent progress in security, but rather the formalization of a geopolitics of impunity that undermines the pillars of our national dignity.”
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