Ahead of the US transition of power, the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Fiuggi, Rome, Italy focused on achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and discussing continued support for Ukraine. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
According to AP, for the first time, the G7 ministerial conference was attended by ministers from five Arab countries - including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and the Secretary General of the Arab League.
Speaking at the opening of the conference on November 25 local time, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized: "It seems that we are getting closer to a ceasefire in Lebanon." He also "hopes that this is true and that there will be no last-minute withdrawal."
The Italian diplomat also said that Italy had offered to take on a larger peacekeeping role in Lebanon to monitor a ceasefire agreement.
The Arab foreign ministers also stressed the call for ceasefires in both Lebanon and Gaza. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called for a permanent ceasefire to restore normal life. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Cairo will host a ministerial conference on December 2 to mobilize international aid for Gaza.
Ahead of the G7 summit, Mr. Mike Herzog - Israel's ambassador to the US shared with Israel Army Radio that a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could be reached "within days".
The Arab Five also announced that they were working with the United States to finalize a post-war plan for Gaza. The need for progress on this plan is more urgent as the Trump administration officially begins its term, as he is expected to pursue a more pro-Israel policy.
The G7 ministers also discussed the rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine following last week's hypersonic ballistic missile attack. The G7 has always been at the forefront of providing economic and military assistance to Ukraine, so G7 members expressed particular concern about the new US administration's change in approach to the war in Ukraine.
“It is vital that the G7 and all its allies continue to stand by Ukraine until the war is over,” said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He also announced new sanctions on ships in the “shadow fleet” that are evading sanctions on Russian oil exports.
