French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) until the beginning of 2027, while emphasizing the need for Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese border points they still occupy.
In a post on X, following a phone call with Lebanese President of the Republic Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Macron said: “I praised the courageous decisions taken by the Lebanese executive authority toward restoring exclusive control. I encourage the Lebanese government to adopt the plan that will be presented to the Cabinet for this purpose.”
He added that “French Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Lebanon to work alongside the authorities on our priorities as soon as they are approved.”
He stressed that “the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the end of all violations of Lebanese sovereignty are essential conditions for implementing this plan.” He added: “France has always expressed its readiness to play a role in handing over the points that Israel still occupies.”
In a post on X, following a phone call with Lebanese President of the Republic Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Macron said: “I praised the courageous decisions taken by the Lebanese executive authority toward restoring exclusive control. I encourage the Lebanese government to adopt the plan that will be presented to the Cabinet for this purpose.”
He added that “French Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian will visit Lebanon to work alongside the authorities on our priorities as soon as they are approved.”
He stressed that “the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the end of all violations of Lebanese sovereignty are essential conditions for implementing this plan.” He added: “France has always expressed its readiness to play a role in handing over the points that Israel still occupies.”
