The terms of implementation of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon were the subject of discussions held today by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, following his successive telephone communications, with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri.
According to a related announcement by Elysée, the French president emphasized to his interlocutors that the agreement is a fundamental step for the de-escalation of violence in the region and called on all sides to work for its full implementation. He also underlined that any action contrary to the implementation of the agreement should be stopped immediately, while he welcomed Lebanon’s decision to increase the manpower of the country’s armed forces and expressed France’s willingness to provide all possible assistance both to the Lebanese army as well as the UN military force there.
The French president underlined the need to get out of the political crisis plaguing Lebanon and expressed his satisfaction with the planned reconvening of the country’s Parliament on January 9 in order to elect a president of the Republic, stressing the need to form a government capable of implementing the necessary corrective measures changes for security and peace in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israeli and US media say Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has secured the French president’s pledge not to be arrested in France, in exchange for Paris playing an active role in a ceasefire deal in Lebanon. In more detail, according to reports, US President Joe Biden intervened directly with the French president to soften France’s stance on the arrest warrants, ops and events.