Paris – French President Emmanuel Macron discussed developments in the Palestinian arena and the tension on the Israeli-Lebanese border with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Bahrain.
This came in separate phone calls that Macron made with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, according to a statement by the French presidency, the Elysee.
The statement said that during their phone conversations, the leaders expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of tension on the “Blue Line” separating the Israeli and Lebanese borders.
The leaders called on the parties to assume responsibility and exercise restraint to prevent the spread of tension in the region.
Macron, in turn, condemned the Israeli attacks that targeted UN schools and the Maghazi camp for displaced persons in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for Israel to abide by international law.
He expected the release of prisoners and the announcement of a ceasefire in the region “as soon as possible and without delay,” taking into account the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The French President also discussed developments in the West Bank in his phone calls with Arab leaders, expressing his concern regarding the deterioration of the situation there.
He reiterated France’s opposition to all new settlement measures taken by Israel, which undermine the prospects for peace, welcoming European sanctions once morest “these steps that are contrary to international law.”
In addition, Macron expressed his support for the efforts of the ministerial committee assigned by the Arab-Islamic summit to achieve peace in the region, and the efforts of US President Joe Biden to stop the ceasefire in Gaza.
He stressed France’s determination to continue working with its partners for a solution based on peace and the two-state solution.
Lebanese and Palestinian factions in Lebanon exchange daily shelling with the Israeli army across the “Blue Line” separating the two sides, leaving hundreds dead and wounded, most of them on the Lebanese side.
The factions are linking the cessation of the bombing to Israel ending the war it has been waging with American support on the Gaza Strip since October 7, which has resulted in regarding 128,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing.
Israel continues this war, ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions to stop it immediately, and the International Court of Justice orders to end the invasion of Rafah (south), take measures to prevent acts of genocide, and improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Anatolia
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2024-07-19 02:38:53