Australia urges Middle East ceasefire in peace talks
Penny Wong has held talks with foreign counterparts as a delicate ceasefire between the US and Iran teeters.
Penny Wong Photo: Mick Tsikas
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has held talks with her Lebanese and Pakistani counterparts on a ceasefire in the Middle East, as uncertainty surrounds negotiations between the US and Iran.
Senator Wong spoke overnight with Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar on the country’s role in brokering peace talks between Iran and the US, as well as advancing efforts for a ceasefire.
“I thanked Pakistan’s foreign minister for his country’s role in facilitating negotiations between the US and Iran, and its efforts to build a regional consensus on what a long-term peace deal could look like,” Senator Wong said following the talks.
“We all want the negotiations to be successful, for an end to the conflict and for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen so ships can pass safely and critical supplies can get where they’re needed.”
A one-on-one was also held with Lebanon’s foreign minister Youssef Rajji about the need for a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
“I told Lebanon’s foreign minister that Australia welcomed the US-brokered ceasefire agreed by Israel and Lebanon and that we continue to call on all parties to adhere it,” Senator Wong said.
“We want a negotiated end to the conflict, Lebanon’s sovereignty respected and Hezbollah disarmed.”
The talks come as US President Donald Trump said an extension of a ceasefire with Iran appears unlikely.
The ceasefire is due to run out on Wednesday night, US time.
A fresh round of peace talks in Pakistan is still on the cards after the first attempt failed to ink a deal, with US Vice President JD Vance leading an American delegation.
But Iran is still yet to confirm whether the talks will still go ahead.
Senator Wong said the effects of the war would remain in Australia even if an end to the conflict was agreed upon shortly.
“Even with the ceasefire, we know global supply pressures will continue for some time to come,” she said.
“The Albanese government is working with regional partners to secure petrol, diesel and fertiliser supplies so that we can shield Australia from the worst impacts of the conflict.”
By: Andrew Brown/AAP
After viewing this evening’s WM repeat movie The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas…….I would whole heartedly recommend both Foreign Minister Wong and Prime Minister find a comfortable chair and hold hands an watch it.
This story may very well be fiction but in ignorance, closer to the truth than realized………
When will we bid rid of Senator Wong? I struggle to think of any comments she has made which is in the best interests of Australia. Even her visit to Israel was goal to find dirt on Israel and no time to visit any site where Israelis were killed by Hamas.
it is time we stop nodding our heads and wring our hands but 000s of us demonstrate outside her home and tell her what we think, including her repudiating Australian Values, one of which is “Fair go! Israeli soldiers are fighting to save Democracy”
Really, who cares what Penny Wong thinks or says. Australia is arrogant in its continual requests/demands on all sorts of issues to do with Israel. It should butt out.