PARIS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Israel should seize the opportunity for direct talks during the ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire, foreign ministers from 18 countries said in a joint statement issued Tuesday.

The ministers welcomed an initiative by Lebanese President Michel Aoun to open direct negotiations with Israel, as well as Israel's willingness to engage in U.S.-facilitated talks, according to the statement.

"Direct negotiations can pave the way for lasting security for Lebanon, Israel and the wider region. We stand ready to support these efforts," the statement said, urging all parties to urgently de-escalate and take advantage of the ceasefire window.

The ministers strongly condemned attacks by Hezbollah against Israel, calling for their immediate cessation. They also denounced large-scale Israeli strikes on Lebanon on April 8, which Lebanese authorities said killed more than 350 people and injured over 1,000. The statement stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in line with international humanitarian law.

Expressing full solidarity with the Lebanese people and authorities, the countries pledged readiness to provide emergency assistance to more than one million displaced people in coordination with the Lebanese government.

The participating countries include Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, as U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad over the weekend ended without agreement, regional mediators are racing to secure a second round of negotiations within days to prevent the collapse of the two-week ceasefire, the The Wall Street Journal reported. However, Israel expanded its ground offensive in Lebanon on Monday, a day before Israeli and Lebanese officials are due to begin direct talks in Washington. ■