UK repeats its call for immediate ceasefire

The United Kingdom's foreign minister has repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the plea on Tuesday, after talking on the phone on Monday night with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"We've both seen the reports in the media about a next phase for Israel in Lebanon," Lammy told Sky News as Israeli ground forces started entering the country.

"We both agreed the position that we had at the UN last week, that the best way forward is an immediate ceasefire and to get back to a political solution."

Reuters added that US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had said Lammy and Blinken had also "discussed the need to deescalate tensions in the Middle East and the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish stability".

Miller said the US continues to support a proposal put forward last week by 12 nations that calls for a 21-day ceasefire in the conflict.

Lammy told the BBC he has also spoken to the foreign minister of Iran, a close friend of Lebanon, urging Teheran to show "restraint" and not retaliate against Israel on Lebanon's behalf.

"As you would expect, over the coming hours we will continue to be in touch with Iran," he added, as Israel began what its military called a "limited, localized, and targeted" ground operation against Hezbollah following several days of airstrikes on targets throughout the country, including in the capital Beirut.

Lammy's call for a ceasefire followed a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying London urges "all parties to show restraint".

Defense Secretary John Healey added that the UK government has charted a plane and will begin evacuating UK citizens from the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday.

Lammy said on Tuesday that the around 5,000 UK citizens thought to still be in Lebanon should leave immediately "because the situation on the ground is fast moving".

The UK has also sent military transport aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, in case they are needed to help with an emergency evacuation of UK citizens.

"The situation in Lebanon is volatile and has potential to deteriorate quickly," Lammy said. "The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our utmost priority. That's why the UK government is chartering a flight to help those wanting to leave. It is vital that you leave now, as further evacuation may not be guaranteed."

He added that the UK will do "all that we can" to help its citizens and their spouses and children flee the conflict.

Lammy also chaired a meeting of UK government ministers and the country's Cobra emergency committee on Monday, to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.