French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Israel to “renounce its territorial ambitions,” stressing that a political solution is the only path to lasting peace as he hosted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Elysee Palace.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Macron said Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territory and abandon any territorial claims, warning that the current ceasefire remains fragile.
“The only way” to peace is “that of a political agreement between Israel and Lebanon which guarantees the security of the countries and the territorial integrity of Lebanon,” he said.
Macron also acknowledged what he described as a “legitimate question” over whether the EU should suspend its association agreement with Israel if it “continues this policy which goes against its history,” particularly in Lebanon.
He cautioned, however, against immediate escalation, noting that “just a few days after Israel agreed to a ceasefire for Lebanon and engaged in discussions, is not the time to rush into a confrontation.
But things clearly cannot continue as they did a few years ago,” he added.
The French president emphasised that consolidating the fragile ceasefire remains a priority, warning that the truce “will not be resolved in a few hours or a few days.”
