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Added on the 26/04/2024 14:15:23 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
The Group of Seven industrialised nations is "committed to de-escalating" tensions in the Middle East in the wake of reports that Israel launched strikes on Iran in retaliation for its unprecedented attack on Israeli soil Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says. "We're committed to Israel's security. We're also committed to de-escalating, to trying to bring this tension to a close," Blinken tells a press conference after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri. SOUNDBITE
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterates his desire to see "calm heads prevail" in the Middle East, following reports that Israel carried out a retaliatory strike on Iran. "Significant escalation is not in anyone's interest," he says during questions after delivering an unrelated speech, adding: "What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region." SOUNDBITE
Tensions in the Middle East and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea could push eurozone inflation higher again, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde warns at a press conference in Frankfurt. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges both Israel and the Palestinians to lower tensions and calls for an immediate end to rocket fire by Hamas. "All sides need to de-escalate, reduce tensions, take practical steps to calm things down," Blinken says as he meets his Jordanian counterpart in Washington. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State John Kerry says no link between Iran talks and other Middle East issues on sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing. Gavino Garay reports.