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Macron Calls for Direct Talks Between Israel and Lebanon

Published March 14, 2026, 12:09
Macron Calls for Direct Talks Between Israel and Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Israel to accept "direct talks" with Lebanese authorities and "all components" of Lebanon, offering to "facilitate" and "host" these talks in Paris. This move comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Hezbollah launching rockets at Israel and Israel responding with strikes on Lebanon. Macron stressed the need to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos and called on Hezbollah to stop its attacks, while urging Israel to avoid a large-scale offensive. The French president held telephone conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who expressed their willingness for direct talks with Israel, with representation from all components of the country. Macron emphasized that Israel must seize this opportunity to begin negotiations and achieve a lasting solution, ensuring Lebanon's national sovereignty. The escalation of tensions began with Hezbollah launching rockets in response to the death of a top Iranian leader. Since then, Israel has bombed Lebanon and threatened to further expand its operations. The leader of Hezbollah, Naeem Qassem, has stated he is ready for a "long conflict". France, by offering to facilitate talks in Paris, seeks to contribute to de-escalation and find a peaceful solution in the region. The situation remains fragile and requires immediate diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict.