Macron announces new Lebanon 'reconstruction' conference in Paris

AFP , Friday 17 Jan 2025

France's President Emmanuel Macron Friday announced that Paris would in the coming weeks host an international conference "for the reconstruction of Lebanon" after Israel launched a deadly assault on the country.

Macron
France’s President Emmanuel Macron shakes hand with Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda. AFP

 

"The international community must prepare for massive support to the reconstruction of infrastructure," he said at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun after a November ceasefire put a halt to the Israeli escalation.

Accordingly, Macron called for accelerated implementation of the ceasefire deal ahead of a January 26 deadline, which includes the "complete withdrawal" of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the dismantling of any remaining Hezbollah military infrastructure in the south.

Under the November 27 ceasefire accord, the Lebanese army has 60 days to deploy alongside UNIFIL in south Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws.

At the same time, Hezbollah is required to pull its forces north of the Litani river, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

"There have been results... but they must be accelerated and long-lasting. There needs to be complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the Lebanese army must hold total monopoly of any weapons" in south Lebanon.

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