Lebanon’s prime minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to discuss strengthening Beirut’s position ahead of possible direct talks with Israel in the U.S. later this week.
"France’s role is not to insert itself between the parties in discussions that are, by nature, bilateral and direct," a French presidency official said ahead of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s meeting with Macron.
"France is one of the countries capable of playing a very concrete role in strengthening the Lebanese government’s hand and supporting its action in practical terms."
France, which has deep historical ties with Lebanon, has sought alongside Washington to mediate in the conflict, brokering a ceasefire in 2024 and helping establish a mechanism to monitor it.
However, relations with Israel have soured over France’s stance on Gaza and the West Bank, its accusations that Israel’s actions in Lebanon are disproportionate, and its contacts with Hezbollah’s political wing.
Israel’s ambassador to Washington said last week that France should be excluded from any talks, describing Paris as having "no positive influence."
The U.S., while maintaining contact with France on the issue, has also sought to marginalise its role.
The U.S. is hosting ambassador-level talks with Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, although it remains unclear whether the objective is to extend a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah or pave the way for deeper negotiations.
European and Lebanese diplomats say they fear that if direct negotiations begin, Lebanon’s government could be too weak to resist unrealistic demands, potentially fuelling domestic tensions given Hezbollah’s refusal to negotiate with Israel.
"We are trying our best to get [France] back in the discussions, but the U.S. and Israel are adamant not to include them," said a Lebanese diplomat.
Lebanon’s inability to rein in Hezbollah following the 2024 ceasefire has raised questions about Beirut’s credibility in negotiations. France has put forward initiatives only to be rebuffed by the U.S. and Israel.
Paris argues that, unlike Washington, it has a significant presence on the ground in Lebanon, with some 700 UN peacekeepers and that any peace deal would still require a substantial international presence to implement it.
A French soldier was killed in southern Lebanon this week in an attack the French government said was carried out by Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s parliament speaker warned on Tuesday that Israeli forces occupying parts of the country’s south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw, signalling a risk of renewed confrontation.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Vol...
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they had targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline pumping stations and King Khalid In...
Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić ...
Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat after a student-led protest movement took the majority of seats in Sunday's parliamentary elections.
Uzbekistan summoned Iran’s ambassador following claims by several Iranian diplomatic missions that the historical and architectural heritage of Samarkand belongs to Persian or Iranian-Islamic civilisation, Tashkent's Foreign Ministry said.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council says senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye will travel to Tehran to discuss regional security.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to the South American nation almost a year after she secretly left the country to travel to Norway for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
At least five people were killed and several others injured in overnight attacks across Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, 25 October, as officials reported strikes on residential areas and industrial facilities, while Moscow claimed to have targeted logistics infrastructure and a cargo vessel.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they had targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline pumping stations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as regional tensions intensified. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a ballistic missile heading towards the capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tightening election race as his rivals struggle to find a clear path to power, despite polls previously suggesting he was heading for defeat.
Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding an independent commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, three days before a national election.
Saudi Arabia religious leaders have condemned attacks targeting holy sites and civilians after authorities reported intercepting two ballistic missiles launched towards the Mecca and Medina regions, while Yemen’s Houthi movement denied targeting the two cities.
Uzbekistan summoned Iran’s ambassador following claims by several Iranian diplomatic missions that the historical and architectural heritage of Samarkand belongs to Persian or Iranian-Islamic civilisation, Tashkent's Foreign Ministry said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment