U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on 08 January 2025 that a Gaza ceasefire remained close, but reiterated that it may not happen before President Joe Biden hands over to Donald Trump.
Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 08 January 2025
“In the Middle East, we’re very close to a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Blinken who was in Paris told reporters. Blinken announced the withdrawal of over a third of Israeli forces from Lebanon following the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. Blinken praised the U.S.-France oversight mechanism for effectively managing ceasefire violations, while acknowledging that challenges still exist. “All of that is ready to go if the opportunity presents itself, with a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as understandings on a pathway forward for the Palestinians,” Blinken said. “So there’s tremendous opportunity there.”
Antony Blinken also rejected the notion of Greenland joining as the 51st state expressed by President-elect Donald Trump on 07th January at a president at Mar a Lago. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Blinken criticized Trump’s idea as placing a wedge between his country and its allies. “The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe, more importantly, it is obviously one that is not going to happen,” he noted, adding that no time should be wasted talking about it.
Blinken refused to comment on Elon Musk saying he was speaking as a private citizen after the billionaire friend of President-elect Donald Trump backed far-right politicians in Europe. “Private citizens in our country can say what they want.” “He, like any American, has the right to express his views,” Blinken added.
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