How did world leaders react to Israel’s killing of Nasrallah?

Houthis

The Houthis in Yemen, who have been firing on ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas, said in a statement that Nasrallah’s killing “will increase the flame of sacrifice, the heat of enthusiasm, the strength of resolve” against Israel, with their leader vowing Nasrallah’s death “will not be in vain”.

Russia

Russia’s foreign ministry said “we decisively condemn the latest political murder carried out by Israel” and urged it to “immediately cease military action” in Lebanon.

Israel would “bear full responsibility” for the “tragic” consequences the killing could bring to the region, the ministry added in a statement.

China

China said it is “deeply concerned” and “closely following” soaring tensions in the Middle East, after Israel killed Hezbollah leader.

“China is closely following this incident and deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the region,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement, urging “all parties, particularly Israel, to take immediate steps to cool down the situation.”

United States

Biden said Nasrallah’s death was “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians”.

Washington supports Israel’s right to defend itself against “Iranian-supported terrorist groups” and the “defence posture” of US forces in the region would be “further enhanced”, Biden added in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Nasrallah was “a terrorist with American blood on his hands” and said she would “always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.”

Germany

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told ARD television that the killing “threatens destabilisation for the whole of Lebanon”, which “is in no way in Israel’s security interest”.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Nasrallah as “the leader of a terrorist organisation that attacked and killed innocent civilians, causing immense suffering across the region”.

But he called for more to be done to protect civilians in the conflict, adding: “We urge calm and restraint during this critical time.”