Macron: France ready to facilitate talks between Israel and Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to facilitate direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to de-escalate the recent surge in violence.

Macron held a phone call yesterday evening with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Caliber.Az reports, citing Macron’s post on X.

Je me suis entretenu hier avec le Premier ministre irakien Mohammed Chia Al-Soudani.

Il m’a présenté ses condoléances et celles du peuple irakien pour le décès de l’adjudant-chef Arnaud Frion lors de l’attaque inacceptable qui a également blessé plusieurs de nos militaires.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 14, 2026

“He expressed to me the condolences of the Iraqi people over the death of Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion during an unacceptable attack, which also left several of our soldiers injured,” Macron wrote.

He thanked the Iraqi side for its support and cooperation in ensuring the security of French troops and in the “fight against terrorism.”

The French president also spoke with Lebanese leaders — President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He stressed the need to prevent chaos in the country, called on Hezbollah to halt offensive actions, and urged Israel to pause its large-scale strikes.

J’ai échangé hier avec le Président Aoun, le Premier ministre Salam et le Président du Parlement Berri.

Tout doit être fait pour empêcher que le Liban ne sombre dans le chaos.

Le Hezbollah doit arrêter immédiatement sa fuite en avant. Israël doit renoncer à une offensive…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 14, 2026

Macron noted France’s readiness to facilitate direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, including the possibility of hosting them in Paris, to achieve a lasting solution and ensure that Lebanese authorities uphold their obligations regarding the country’s sovereignty and stability.