France – French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated, yesterday, Friday, France’s support for the Lebanese army in all fields, stressing the importance of stability in Lebanon and the necessity of keeping it away from the repercussions of the war in Gaza.
Macron’s statements came during his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Elysee Palace in Paris, according to what was stated in a statement by the Lebanese Prime Minister.
The meeting lasted three hours, during which they discussed Lebanese-French relations and the situation in Lebanon and the region.
The meeting included an extensive working lunch in which Army Commander Joseph Aoun participated on the Lebanese side, and on the French side, the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, Thierry Burkhardt, and the French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, according to the statement.
The statement stated, “During the meeting, President Macron reiterated France’s support for the Lebanese army in all fields, stressing stability in Lebanon and the necessity of keeping it away from the repercussions of the current events in Gaza.”
The French President also “reaffirmed the initiative regarding the solution in the south that was presented by France last February, with some amendments that take into account the current reality and developments.”
The initiative stipulates the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and their allies from a distance of 10 to 12 kilometers from the border with Israel and the cessation of Israeli air violations, according to Lebanese reports.
In his response to the French initiative at the time, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib considered that it “contains many good and acceptable points,” pointing out that “there are points that need further research.”
For his part, Mikati thanked Macron for “the efforts he is constantly making to stop the Israeli aggression once morest Lebanon and support the army with equipment and expertise to enable it to fully carry out its tasks,” according to the same statement.
He said that his meeting with Macron “particularly touched on the file of displaced Syrians,” where he explained to the French president “the dangers posed to Lebanon by the huge numbers of displaced people.”
Mikati also renewed his call on the international community to carry out its duties in resolving this dilemma, the repercussions of which will extend to Europe in particular, according to the Lebanese government statement.
In “solidarity with the Gaza Strip,” which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war with American support since October 7, Hezbollah and other Lebanese and Palestinian factions exchange intermittent daily bombardment at the border with the Israeli army.
Israel continues its devastating war despite the issuance of an immediate ceasefire resolution by the Security Council, and despite its appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”
Anatolia
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2024-04-21 13:31:34