Regional countries must be involved in Lebanon negotiations, Macron says

BEIRUT — France stepped up its calls on Thursday for a political resolution to the war in Lebanon, even as Paris remains sidelined from ongoing talks in Washington between Beirut and Tel Aviv, held at ambassador level.

At the same time, it delivered more than nine tons of humanitarian aid to Beirut–Rafik Hariri International Airport “in solidarity with the Lebanese people.”

Speaking from Nicosia, French President Emmanuel Macron called for negotiations on Lebanon to include “all relevant countries in the region” to achieve “lasting peace.” He stressed that France’s priority is extending the cease-fire set to expire Sunday and “building the conditions for a durable peace,” including respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the “sustainable” disarmament of Hezbollah.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in an interview that without France’s intervention, there likely would not have been a cease-fire last week. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Glenn Salic emphasized that the “only path” to ending the war is a “political agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”

Support conference and regional diplomacy

Macron said Lebanon is under “very strong pressure” and reiterated France’s push to extend the cease-fire and ensure negotiations take place within an appropriate framework between Lebanon and Israel, while also involving key regional actors.

He added that France is “ready” to organize a support conference to help Lebanon restore its sovereignty, strengthen its army, and support reconstruction in southern Lebanon. The conference would be held “when Lebanon deems it appropriate.” Macron also voiced support for a potential European Union partnership agreement with Lebanon.

Macron thanked Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides for inviting President Joseph Aoun to a meeting in Nicosia alongside regional leaders, including Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa.

France’s role in the cease-fire

The French foreign ministry reiterated that only a political agreement can end the conflict, one that ensures security for both Israel and Lebanon, respects Lebanon’s territorial sovereignty, and lays the groundwork for normalized relations.

Barrot said France played a central role in securing the current cease-fire and in facilitating initial discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials. He added that Paris had warned Israel that relying solely on military force to disarm Hezbollah would be ineffective, which he said contributed to Israel’s acceptance of high-level negotiations.

Despite these efforts, France has been excluded from the current talks in Washington, reportedly at Israel’s request. A new meeting between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors is expected at the U.S. State Department as part of preparations for broader negotiations — the first of their kind in over 40 years.

Barrot also noted that France had pressed for the U.S.-Iran cease-fire to extend to Lebanon, which he said has been the case, although violations continue. The truce remains fragile, with ongoing Israeli strikes, Hezbollah attacks, and continued Israeli military presence in parts of southern Lebanon where a de facto buffer zone is being established.

Humanitarian aid delivery

On Thursday, France delivered more than nine tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon, according to the French embassy. The shipment includes tents, cooking kits, and solar lamps for displaced populations, to be distributed by the UNHCR and NGOs including Amel and Première Urgence Internationale, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

An additional 75 medical kits provided by the French organization Tulipe — containing medicines valid through 2027–2030 — will support healthcare teams on the ground, in coordination with the Health Ministry and partner organizations.

Amid a fragile cease-fire and widespread destruction in conflict-affected areas, many displaced people have yet to return home. At the height of the war, more than one million people were displaced, according to Lebanese authorities. France had earlier delivered 60 tons of aid shortly after the conflict began and has indicated it could repeat such operations if needed.