Australian PM welcomes 2-week ceasefire in Middle East

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday welcomed the agreement by the United States and Iran to a two-week ceasefire to negotiate a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.

Australia wants to see the ceasefire upheld and a resolution to the conflict reached, Albanese said in a statement.

"We thank and support the work of negotiators, including Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, in advancing de-escalation efforts," he said, noting that Australia continues to call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilian life.

Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump, and will hold negotiations in Pakistan.