88 Francophone countries call For 'immediate' ceasefire in Lebanon': Macron

AFP , Saturday 5 Oct 2024

The 88 members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), including France and Canada, call for an "immediate and lasting" ceasefire in Lebanon, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.

Emmanuel Macron
France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) holds a press conference at the end of closing session of the 19th Summit of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris, on October 5, 2024. AFP

 

"We have unanimously expressed ourselves in favour of an immediate and lasting ceasefire and have stated our commitment to de-escalating tensions in the region," Macron told reporters at the end of a "Francophonie" summit, adding France would hold an international conference in support of Lebanon in October.

Macron expressed reservations Saturday about the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to send troops on ground operations into Lebanon.

"I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu has made another choice," said Macron, referring to his decision not to heed earlier calls from Paris and Washington for a ceasefire.

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