French President Macron Pledges to Prevent Violence between Lebanon and Israel

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged again, Friday, to do everything in his power to “prevent the escalation of violence between Lebanon and Israel,” urging Lebanese leaders to resolve the crisis institutional that their country sees.

Macron confirmed his contacts, as he received at the Elysee the Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, as well as the Commander of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun. The latter also participated in a meeting in Paris with his French and Italian counterparts, whose countries are major contributors to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The army plays a vital role in maintaining Lebanon’s stability. Joseph Aoun maintains good relations with most parties, and is sometimes referred to as a figure who can solve the political crisis in the country, according to Agence France-Presse.

Likewise, Macron spoke on the phone with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, who also plays a key role in the political situation of crisis, since he is the one who can call the representatives to elect a new head of state, something they doing has been able to do since the term ended on October 31, 2022. President Michel Aoun.

On Friday, Macron confirmed to Mikati at his reception in Paris, “The commitment of France to do everything in its power to avoid violence between Lebanon and Israel,” according to the Elysee.

The French presidency said in a statement that Macron “confirmed his intention to continue providing the necessary support to the Lebanese Armed Forces.” “

She continued, “Macron continues to push for the stability of Lebanon so that it is protected from the risks associated with increasing tensions in the Middle East. In this context, he recalled France’s commitment within the framework of the United Nations Interim Force. in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and emphasized the responsibility of everyone towards it so that it can fulfill its responsibilities in a comprehensive manner.

The statement also said that “France will move in this direction with all those who are ready to participate in a greater way, especially its European partners, according to what was reached by the European Emergency Council ” which took place on Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels. .

Macron also consulted by phone with Berri, and repeated his call on “political officials to resolve the institutional crisis that is weakening Lebanon.” “

3 main files

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said on Friday that he had spoken with Macron about the situation in the south, the file of those expelled, and the president’s prerogatives.

Mikati, in a statement released by his office on the platform “X”, after the meeting with Macron, said that the discussions that took place at the Elysee Palace particularly touched on the issue of displaced Syrians.

He continued: “I explained to President Macron the dangers of Lebanon due to the large numbers of displaced people. “

Mikati said: “I was hoping that President Macron would raise the issue of declaring safe zones in Syria to the European Union in order to bring the process of returning the displaced people to their country, and to support give them internationally and European in Syria, not Lebanon. “

The statement said that the French side promised to help solve this problem at the level of the European Union.

Regarding the presidential file, Mikati said: “I said again that the solution to the crises in Lebanon is to elect a new president to complete the constitutional institutions and start the implement necessary reforms.”