Paris: French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday urged Israel to cease its "illegal occupation" of Lebanese territory, cautioning that Israel's military actions could destabilize the region. Lecornu's statement was made during an address to the French National Assembly, emphasizing the necessity of respecting the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and criticizing Israel's military operations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lecornu highlighted the interconnectedness of the conflict in Lebanon with broader tensions involving Iran. He stressed that France has consistently advised its allies against disregarding Lebanon's situation, noting that a peaceful resolution with Iran cannot be achieved if Lebanon's issues are ignored. Lecornu pointed out Hezbollah's relationship with Tehran and warned against underestimating Lebanon's influence on regional stability.
The French Prime Minister expressed concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, arguing that they are counterproductive to Israel's security in the long run. Lecornu criticized Netanyahu's strategy as one of "permanent war," suggesting that such an approach only increases security risks rather than mitigating them. He underscored France's efforts to counter this strategy by collaborating with regional partners and the United States.
Lecornu also outlined France's priorities since the conflict's escalation, which include safeguarding French citizens, ensuring the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and supporting Lebanon due to France's historical ties with the country. He emphasized that developments in Lebanon have a direct impact on ongoing US-Iran negotiations and broader regional stabilization efforts.
With Iran's conditions for a permanent end to the US-Israeli conflict including an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, Lecornu's remarks come at a critical juncture. Recently, Netanyahu's decision to intensify military actions in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut, was met with opposition from US President Donald Trump, who reportedly intervened to restrain the escalation.