Paris throws support behind Lebanon amid US-Israeli pressure

France is clearly supporting the approach of President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in dealing with the situations in the country, a media report said.

“Paris considers that there cannot be a shift from the tripartite ceasefire monitoring mechanism between Lebanon and Israel to a form of diplomatic normalization between them,” An-Nahar newspaper reported on Friday.

“Paris rejects the Israeli operations in Lebanon, especially that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire agreement, and France is calling on the Hebrew state to withdraw from the five points it is still occupying in south Lebanon,” the daily said.

It added that France is emphasizing that “the Lebanese Army must continue its work and has so far demonstrated its ability to preserve stability in Lebanon.”

“That’s why Israel must fully withdraw and spare Lebanon its attacks, because the priority today is for restoring Lebanon’s stability and enabling Lebanese authorities of regaining control, not only over the borders but across Lebanon, in addition to resolving the country’s financial crisis and facilitating the state’s work,” An-Nahar quoted French officials as saying.

“High-level French officials have described the performance of President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam as good and important, adding that France is determined to help them by organizing an international conference for offering support to Lebanon,” the daily added.