Macron urges Israel to hold 'direct talks' with Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said Lebanon was ready to engage in "direct talks" with Israel and offered to host negotiations in Paris.
"The Lebanese government has signalled its willingness to engage in direct talks with Israel," he said on X.
"France is ready to facilitate these talks by hosting them in Paris," Macron said, adding he had spoken to the president and prime minister of Lebanon and that all Lebanese components should be represented in such talks.
"Everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos," Macron added.
"Hezbollah must immediately halt its reckless course. Israel must abandon plans for a large-scale offensive and cease its massive air strikes."
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Friday his group was ready for a long confrontation with Israel.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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