Report: France 'Discourages' Israeli Aggression against Lebanon, 'Halts' Army Support
France has reportedly “halted” its military support for Lebanon's army in protest at Hizbullah’s “military acts,” and asked Israel to “refrain from any aggression” against the Mediterranean country before it forms a government, An Nahar daily reported on Monday.
The daily said, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has told Israeli Maarvi newspaper that “he and a number of French officials had asked Israeli President Reuven Rivlin during his visit to France, that Israel should not take military action against Lebanon before the latter forms a government.”
“France has halted all military support for the Lebanese army," the daily quoted the French minister as saying, "the French President has canceled a planned visit to Lebanon next month in rejection at the military action of Iranian-backed Hizbullah," he reportedly added.
"We told the Israeli president that the Lebanese themselves would overcome their political dispute in order to line up a government soon," the daily quoted the Minister as telling Maarvi.
On Sunday, media reports said that France has warned that President Emmanuel Macron could call off his visit to Lebanon that is scheduled for the second half of February should the new Lebanese government not be formed within a week.
The sources said Le Drian has given Lebanon a one-week ultimatum to reach consensus that would allow for the formation of the cabinet.
Source: Naharnet
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