LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Israel's pounding of Lebanon was "deeply damaging" and said that conflict must end to prevent the U.S.-Iran ceasefire from
Israel's pounding of Lebanon is 'deeply damaging', UK foreign minister says
UK Foreign Secretary Comments on Israel-Lebanon Conflict
LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Thursday that Israel's pounding of Lebanon was "deeply damaging" and risked destabilising the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Calls for Ceasefire Inclusion
"We want to see Lebanon included in the ceasefire," she told Times Radio. "We want it extended to cover Lebanon, because otherwise that will destabilise the whole region."
Concerns Over Regional Stability
"That escalation that we saw from Israel yesterday was deeply damaging, and we want to see an end to hostilities."
Britain's Role and Relations with Allies
Britain, which has faced heavy criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump for failing to provide more support for Washington's war on Iran, has sought to help defend its allies in the Gulf and is now working with other countries on ways to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz.
Strains with the United States
Asked about the strains with its key U.S. ally, Cooper said it was possible for London to remain close to Washington while also taking a different approach in the region. But she said some of Trump's rhetoric, including when he threatened to destroy Iran's civilisation, had been dangerous.
Criticism of Escalatory Rhetoric
"I think that the rhetoric that we've seen used has been completely wrong," she told Sky News. "That sort of escalatory rhetoric can have escalatory consequences."
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by Kate Holton)
