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France’s Macron vows to help Lebanese prepare negotiations with Israel

By Thomson Reuters Apr 21, 2026 | 1:03 PM

PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on ​Tuesday France ‌will help Lebanese authorities prepare negotiations with Israel even if Paris ‌was ​not directly ⁠part of ⁠the discussions.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Lebanon’s Prime Minister ​Nawaf Salam, Macron said it was “secondary” ⁠for ⁠France to be ​sitting at the table ​of negotiations as it ‌was in Lebanon’s interest that everyone helps it in ⁠the negotiations.

France, which has deep historical ties with ⁠Lebanon, ‌has sought to ⁠play a ​role ‌in the talks, ​but has ⁠met resistance from both Israel and the United States.

(Reporting by John Irish, Dominique ​Vidalon)