Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Lebanon, Macron wrote in a post on X/Twitter. 

Macron reaffirmed the need for Hezbollah to immediately cease attacks “against Israel and beyond,” and wrote that the attacks endanger the entire region. He also called on Netanyahu to “preserve Lebanon’s territorial integrity” and to refrain from sending soldiers in on a ground offensive

Macron urged all parties to return to the ceasefire agreement.

He also affirmed that France will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in ending the threat posed by Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference, amid the Israeli-Hamas conflict, in Jerusalem, October 24, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference, amid the Israeli-Hamas conflict, in Jerusalem, October 24, 2023. (credit: CHRISTOPHE ENA/POOL VIA REUTERS)

Humanitarian emergency

The humanitarian emergency in southern Lebanon was also addressed, with Macron writing that France would take “immediate initiatives” to support displaced Lebanese citizens.

Macron emphasized that solidarity with the Lebanese people and commitment to regional stability remained at the heart of their action.