France pledges €100 million to support Lebanon amid simmering conflict

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for "massive aid" to address the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict between Hezbollah militants and Israel.

Addressing an international conference, the president pledged a €100 million (£83.3 million) aid package to Lebanon, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The war has displaced over one million people, killed more than 2,500, and deepened Lebanon's economic instability.

“In the immediate term, massive aid is needed for the Lebanese population, both for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war and for the communities hosting them,” Macron told the conference.

The French government hopes international financial pledges will meet the $426 million (£355 million) in humanitarian aid the United Nations says is urgently required. Italy and Germany have already announced new aid, with Italy committing €10 million (£8.3 million) and Germany pledging an additional €60 million (£50 million).

During the conference, Macron condemned Israel for continuing its military operations in Lebanon, calling for an immediate ceasefire as civilian casualties rise. He reiterated France’s aim to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and strengthen its institutions, as the country struggles without a president for two years due to political deadlock.

International experts emphasize the importance of France's role, with Middle East analyst Rym Montaz noting the country's diplomatic influence in Lebanon, a former French colony, and its capacity to coordinate a response to the escalating crisis.

The conference also focused on strengthening Lebanon’s army and the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL), with European countries like Italy pushing for enhanced capabilities to stabilize the region. Without a strengthened Lebanese military and peacekeeping force, experts warn that sustainable peace on the Lebanon-Israel border remains elusive.

By Khagan Isayev