April 8 (Reuters) - Greece will ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 from January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems and the addictive design of online platforms.

In a video message addressed to young people, Mitsotakis said children spending long hours in front of screens do not allow their minds to rest and face growing pressure from constant comparison and online comments.

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told AFP on Thursday that he believes China got Iran to negotiate a ceasefire in the war against Israel and the United States.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it welcomed the ceasefire, adding that China had made its own efforts towards realising lasting peace in the Middle East.

"China has consistently advocated for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, as well as the resolution of disputes through political and diplomatic channels," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

BRUSSELS, April 8 (Reuters) - EU leaders on Wednesday welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran.

"I welcome the two-week ceasefire the US and Iran agreed last night. It brings much needed de-escalation", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X, adding it was crucial negotiations continue for an enduring solution.

European Council President Costa added on X that he urged "all parties to uphold its terms in order to achieve sustainable peace in the region".

PARIS, April 8 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said about 15 countries were planning to facilitate the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil supply usually flows, after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced.

BEIJING, April 8 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed during peace talks in Urumqi to explore a comprehensive solution to the conflict that broke out between the two countries last October.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that both countries agreed at the meetings in China not to take actions that would escalate or complicate the situation.

Mao added that China would continue to communicate with both countries and provide a platform for dialogue.

By Jihed Abidellaoui

TYRE, Lebanon, April 8 (Reuters) - Almost every day for the last month, Hussein Saleh has made a somber pilgrimage to the plot of land in south Lebanon where his home once stood, scouring the earth for trinkets that belonged to his wife, daughter and six other relatives killed in an Israeli strike.

"Every day or two I come here, I check on things, I look around to find memories, to find a phone, to find anything that can soothe my heart and make things lighter," said Saleh, 34.

BEIRUT, April 8 (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah halted fire on northern Israel and on Israeli troops in Lebanon in the early hours of Wednesday as part of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire announced earlier, three Lebanese sources close to the group told Reuters.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key intermediary in ceasefire talks, said the two-week ceasefire would include Lebanon, where a new war between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel broke out on March 2.

Reuters reported last month that Iran wanted Lebanon included in any deal it made with the United States.

April 8 (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected on Wednesday to announce a ban on access to social media for children under the age of 15, according to a government briefing.

Slovenia, Britain, Austria and Spain have also said they are working on similar bans after Australia became the first country in the world to block access to children under 16.

(Reporting by Antonis Pothitos; Editing by)

The latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Lebanon declares day of mourning -

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared Thursday a national day of mourning after Israeli strikes pummelled the country, killing at least 182 people and wounding 890, according to the health ministry.

The strikes were Israel's heaviest on neighboring Lebanon -- including in densely packed central Beirut -- since the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah joined the war in early March.

- Hezbollah fires at Israel -

LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday to hold talks with partners to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open permanently after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, his office said.

"I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world," Starmer said in a statement.

"Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz."