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Macron Backs Lebanon-Israel Truce, Warns of Undermined Ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the US-announced 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, while expressing concern that continued military operations could undermine it. He called for the protection of civilians and urged Hezbollah to disarm, while also asking Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty. The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump following talks with Lebanese and Israeli leaders. Qatar has also welcomed the deal, praising Trump's mediation efforts and urging full compliance.

Key Points: Macron Supports Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire, Urges Restraint

  • Macron supports US-brokered truce
  • Warns ceasefire may be undermined
  • Calls for Hezbollah to renounce weapons
  • Qatar also welcomes the deal
3 min read

French President Macron welcomes Lebanon-Israel ceasefire deal

French President Macron welcomes US-brokered Lebanon-Israel 10-day ceasefire but warns it may be undermined, calling for civilian safety and Hezbollah disarmament.

"I fully support the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel... I also express my concern that it may already be undermined. - Emmanuel Macron"

Paris, April 17

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday welcomed the recently announced Lebanon-Israel 10-day ceasefire deal, referring to it as a truce between Hezbollah and Israel, while raising concerns over its implementation and urging restraint from all sides.

In a post on X, Macron said he "fully supports" the ceasefire between "Hezbollah and Israel", which was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, but expressed concern that "it may already be undermined by the continuation of military operations."

He also emphasised the need to ensure the safety of civilians on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border.

"I fully support the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel as announced by President Trump yesterday. I also express my concern that it may already be undermined by the continuation of military operations. I call for the safety of civilian populations on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel," the post read.

The French President also called on Hezbollah to renounce its weapons and urged Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty and bring an end to the conflict.

"Hezbollah must renounce its weapons. Israel must respect Lebanese sovereignty and stop the war," the post added.

The ceasefire comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with exchanges involving Israeli armed forces and Hezbollah, which saw a major escalation following the US-Iran war in the region.

Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had reached an agreement to initiate a 10-day ceasefire, following intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities in the region.

The US President shared that he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary truce as a step towards a broader resolution.

"I just had excellent conversations with the highly respected President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These two leaders have agreed that, in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST," Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, the State of Qatar has also welcomed the ceasefire announcement, describing it as an important step toward de-escalation in the region.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all parties to ensure "full and immediate compliance" with the ceasefire agreement to maintain calm and prevent further escalation.

The statement further expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump, acknowledging his role in the mediation that contributed to reaching the deal.

"The State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire in the Republic of Lebanon as a step towards de-escalation, urging full and immediate compliance to maintain calm and prevent further regional tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Qatar's appreciation for the efforts of HE President Donald Trump of the friendly United States of America in mediation and good offices that contributed to reaching the deal," the statement read.

Qatar also voiced hope that the ceasefire would bolster broader regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a "comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace" in the Middle East.

The ceasefire comes at a critical juncture for West Asia, following a period of significant volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Macron is right to focus on civilian safety. The images from the border are heartbreaking. As a mother, I can't imagine living in that constant fear. Hope this truce holds and leads to real dialogue. 🙏
R
Rohit P
Good move by Trump and Macron. But let's be real, Hezbollah won't just give up weapons because France says so. The geopolitics there is so complex. India has wisely maintained balanced relations with all sides.
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the diplomatic effort, calling it a "Lebanon-Israel" deal when it's specifically with Hezbollah is misleading. It gives legitimacy to a non-state actor over the Lebanese government. The wording matters.
V
Vikram M
Ten days is better than nothing, but what happens on day 11? This region's conflicts always seem to have temporary solutions. India's foreign policy of strategic autonomy allows us to engage with everyone, which is the need of the hour.
K
Kavya N
Qatar's involvement is interesting. They are becoming a major diplomatic player. Hope this ceasefire allows humanitarian aid to reach those who need it most. The focus must remain on the people suffering on the ground.

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