France Urges Respect for Lebanon’s Sovereignty Amid Truce Talks Advancement
The French deputy defense minister, Alice Rufo, stated that Lebanon’s integrity should be fully respected, while clarifying that this principle should not be interpreted as any form of territorial occupation. She made these remarks during an interview with France Inter, as regional tensions continue to persist.
Rufo also highlighted the importance of maintaining and potentially extending the ceasefire, arguing that additional time would support diplomatic progress. She said, “Prolonging the ceasefire is a good thing; it must be respected,” adding that longer negotiations increase the likelihood of achieving a stable and durable agreement.
She further warned against rushing diplomatic efforts, explaining that limited timeframes can lead to renewed conflict. “Experience shows negotiations are complex and take time,” she said, referring to earlier diplomatic engagements involving Iran and European partners.
France, she added, is prepared to back the diplomatic process led by Lebanese authorities, particularly initiatives aimed at ensuring that the state retains exclusive control over weapons, including in the southern region of the country.
Rufo also expressed support for direct dialogue between Israel and Lebanon, describing recent actions taken by Lebanese officials as “courageous.” She noted that France has communicated its backing to both Lebanese leaders and the country’s armed forces, with the broader aim of reinforcing sovereignty and ensuring full respect for Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
In related developments, a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on Friday. However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated a day later that Israel plans to retain control over all areas it occupied in southern Lebanon during its most recent military operations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
