British Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and welcomes direct talks between Israel and Beirut, Al Jazeera reports.

“This is not a conflict of Lebanon’s making. There must be a ceasefire. We welcome the talks that have started,” Falconer has said.

“The strikes in Lebanon have had a terrible effect on civilians,” he adds. “Hezbollah must stop firing” and must be disarmed, he said, adding: “It must be the Lebanese government that monopolises the use of force in Lebanon.”

Falconer has not mentioned Israeli attacks, which have killed more than 2,100 people and displaced more than one million in Lebanon since the escalation of hostilities early last month.