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Added on the 03/01/2024 19:58:29 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has asked China's foreign minister and other counterparts to use their influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, the State Department says. Blinken spoke by telephone to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States warns against further escalation in the Middle East after a suspected Israeli attack on a Hamas leader in Lebanon and deadly blasts in Iran. "It is in no one's interest -- not in the interest of any country in the region, not in the interest of any country in the world -- to see this conflict. escalated any further than it already is," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The US "fundamentally rejects" an announcement today by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to arrest Israeli leaders, rejecting the court's authority and saying the move put ceasefire efforts at risk. "There should be no equivalence between Israel and Hamas," says US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. SOUNDBITE
Images of Jerusalem as several blasts are heard in the city, as Iran launches an unprecedented drone and missile attack, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes. IMAGES
The United States deplores the shelling on a UN shelter in Gaza that killed nine people, and calls again for civilians to be protected in the bloody war with Israel, a State Department spokesman says. "We deplore today's attack on the UN's Khan Yunis training center," spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.