Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calls for swift de-escalation in the Middle East conflict, stressing adherence to international law after US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

SYDNEY: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for the rapid de-escalation of the conflict unleashed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He urged all parties to respect international rules of engagement during a speech in Sydney.

Carney stated the war represented “another example of the failure of the international order”. He said Canada was prepared to assist in achieving the goal of de-escalation.

“Canada reaffirms that international law binds all belligerents,” he said. The prime minister has backed the strikes, saying Tehran failed to dismantle its nuclear programme.

He expressed regret that international efforts had failed to disarm Iran. Carney noted the US and Israel acted without UN engagement or consulting allies like Canada.

The strikes on Saturday quickly killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This occurred two days after US envoys were speaking to Iran in Geneva on a nuclear accord.

Iran has since expanded retaliatory missile and drone barrages across the Middle East. It hit a US consulate and base on Tuesday as the US and Israel pummeled key sites inside Tehran.

The regional war is also taking a growing toll on Lebanon. Hezbollah launched drones and rockets at Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s slaying.

Carney’s comments came on the second day of an official visit to Australia. The trip aims to bring in investment and deepen ties with a fellow “middle power” partner.

He will address the Lowy Institute think tank later in the day. On Thursday he will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and address parliament in Canberra.

The trip is part of a multi-country Asia-Pacific tour aimed at reducing reliance on the United States. Carney described this as a hedge against a fading US-led global order.

 The Sun Malaysia