President Macron Urges Israel to Hold Back from Attack on Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron/PHOTO via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken to Israeli Authority Chief Benjamin Netanyahu to urge him to refrain from launching a ground offensive into Lebanon.

"I urge the Israeli Prime Minister to maintain the integrity of Lebanese territory and refrain from ground attacks. It is important for the parties to return to the ceasefire agreement," Macron said via the X platform on Wednesday (4/3), as reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

Macron said France would work with its partners to support the Lebanese armed forces in their efforts to face Hezbollah, as well as take urgent steps to help Lebanese citizens displaced amid the humanitarian crisis in the country's south.

The French president also said that he had spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The talks between the two followed Aoun who on Tuesday (3/3) asked Macron to use his influence on Israel to stop the advance of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

The request was made by Aoun after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France was ready to defend its partners in the Middle East if they asked for help.