Chinese, Myanmar's presidents to attend signing ceremony

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing will attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

At the invitation of Xi, Min Aung Hlaing is paying a state visit to China from June 15 to 19.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the announcement that the United States and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, which represents a critical step toward the peaceful settlement of the conflict, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, on Monday.

Dujarric said the secretary-general expressed his gratitude to the mediators including Pakistan for their constructive role in the negotiations.

The secretary-general urged all parties to the conflict to seize this new momentum and redouble their efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace, he said.

"The secretary-general hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts towards a final resolution to this conflict. The secretary-general reaffirms that we stand by ready to support the parties in achieving a lasting and durable and comprehensive peace," Dujarric said.

Dujarric also reported on the situation in Lebanon, saying that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had observed a decrease in violent incidents and exchanges of fire.

While maintaining order, UN peacekeepers are working tirelessly on the front lines to repair critical infrastructure, he said.

However, Dujarric pointed out that the path to comprehensive peace in the Middle East remains long and arduous.

The UN secretary-general once again strongly condemned Israel's recent attacks on Beirut and called on all parties to strictly adhere to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, said the spokesman.

The UN reiterated the imperative to ensure the safety of civilians and guarantee continued access for humanitarian aid, said Dujarric.