Spain FM says working with partners on de-escalating Lebanon-Israel border tensions

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced Friday that Spain is working with its partners to de-escalate tensions in south Lebanon.

"We have repeatedly warned against escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border," Albares said in an interview with Al Jazeera, adding that "the cycle of violence in the Middle East cannot be allowed to expand further."

Last month, Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state in a coordinated decision. Albares said it was a day that would be "etched in Spain's history".

Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said recognition was "essential" for peace, insisting the move was "not against anyone, least of all Israel" and the only way to secure a future of two states living side-by-side "in peace and security".

The decision also reflected Spain's "outright rejection of Hamas, which is against the two-state solution" and whose October 7 attacks led to the Gaza war, he added.