French president holds defense council meeting amid rising tensions in Lebanon

By Merve Berker and Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA/ ATHENS (AA) - French President Emmanuel Macron convened a National Defense and Security Council meeting to address escalating tensions in Lebanon and the broader Middle East, the Palace of Elysee said on Tuesday.

During the meeting, which was held “in the presence of the country’s prime minister, interior minister, Europe and foreign minister, as well as the armed forces minister, Paris reaffirmed its commitment to peace and security for all in the region.”

Macron “condemned in the strongest possible terms Iran's new attacks against Israel,” the statement said, adding that the country “mobilized its military resources in the Middle East to counter the Iranian threat.”

The French president further called on Hezbollah to cease its actions against Israel and urged an end to Israel’s military operations to protect civilians “as soon as possible.”

“He considered that too many civilians are already victims,” the Elysee said regarding the situation in Lebanon under Israeli attacks.

France reiterated its support for Lebanon's sovereignty, vowing to “organize a conference in support of the Lebanese people and their institutions.”

The foreign minister has been tasked with further diplomatic engagement in the region to seek de-escalation.

“The President of the Republic reiterated his determination to obtain a long-term settlement that ensures the security of the populations on both sides of the Blue Line,” the statement stressed, noting: “The displaced must be able to return home in complete safety, in Israel as well as in Lebanon.”

Macron instructed the Europe and foreign minister to travel to the Middle East, where “he will consult with all those who have a role to play in initiating de-escalation and finding lasting solutions to the current crisis in all its aspects, particularly the situation in Lebanon and Gaza.”

“Attentive to the security and protection of our compatriots in Lebanon and the Middle East, the Head of State requested that all necessary measures be taken to assist them and, if necessary, help them,” the statement said.

It added: “He also requested that the greatest vigilance be observed and that adequate measures be taken to prevent the possible repercussions of these latest developments in the Middle East on the national territory and ensure the security of everyone.”

“The President of the Republic concluded that it was necessary for all actors involved in the crisis in the Middle East to exercise the greatest restraint.”

- French Foreign Ministry expresses concern over reports of Israeli ground incursion in southern Lebanonway to a diplomatic solution to the conflict."

Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry expressed concern over reports of Israeli ground incursions in southern Lebanon and reiterated opposition to any such action by Israel.

"France condemns the Israeli airstrikes that have caused an unacceptable number of civilian deaths, including dozens of women and children, as well as the Hezbollah attacks against Israeli territory," it added.

It also said, "France calls on the parties to immediately take up the proposals jointly drawn up with the United States and our other partners with a view to achieving a ceasefire paving the way to a diplomatic solution to the conflict."

Since Sept. 23, Israel has launched massive airstrikes against what it calls Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, killing more than 1,073 people and injuring over 2,950 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The top leadership of Hezbollah was killed in the Israeli assaults, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,600 people, most of them women and children, following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October.

The international community has warned that Israeli attacks in Lebanon could escalate the Gaza conflict into a wider regional war.