PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the 88 members of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), including France and Canada, demanded an “immediate and lasting” ceasefire in Lebanon.
“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.
Macron said France would hold an international conference in support of Lebanon in October. He also expressed reservations 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 calls from Paris and Washington for a ceasefire.
Earlier during an interview, Macron urged a halt to arms supplies to Israel, which has been criticized over the conduct of operation in Gaza killing more than 41,825 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7 last year.
“I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron said. “France is not delivering any,” Macron said.
The United States provides about $3 billion in weapons to Israel each year.
In May, the State Department said it did not have enough evidence to block shipments of weapons but that it was “reasonable to assess” that Israel has used arms in ways inconsistent with standards of humanitarian law.
In September, Britain said it was suspending some arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law.
Macron reiterated his concern over the conflict in Gaza that is continuing despite repeated calls for a ceasefire.
“I think we are not being heard,” he said. “I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel,” he said, adding that the conflict was leading to “hatred.”
Macron also said avoiding an escalation in Lebanon was a “priority.” “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza,” he added.
On Monday, Israel marks the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Since October 7, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 41,825 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Palestinian territory. The UN has said those figures are reliable.
