Macron Calls on Israel to Refrain from Any Ground Attack on Lebanon

SadaNews - French President Emmanuel Macron renewed his call for Israel to "clearly" forgo any ground attack on Lebanese territory, while simultaneously urging Hezbollah to cease its attacks "immediately," emphasizing that the group's involvement in the confrontation with Israel was a "grave mistake."

Macron's statements came in a statement published in Arabic on the "X" platform, following lengthy talks he held with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara.

He described the current phase as a "historic opportunity" for the two countries, which have long suffered from regional crises and tyranny, praising President Aoun's efforts to address threats to Lebanon's security and unity.

In the context of political transformations in the region, the French president noted that Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara expressed his support for the Lebanese authorities' efforts to assert control over their entire territory, confirming that coordination between the highest authorities in Beirut and Damascus is an essential pillar for building sound and constructive relations.

In a phone call that Aoun received from al-Shara, the two presidents emphasized the necessity of coordination in securing the shared borders and preventing any security breaches from any side. They also discussed the current developments in the region during the call, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

These diplomatic movements come at a time when the region is witnessing widespread military escalation, as the Israeli army began a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon since the third of March, accompanied by intense airstrikes targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas.

According to Lebanese authorities, these military operations have resulted in the deaths of 570 people and the displacement of more than 759,000 as of last Tuesday evening.