French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is set to visit the Middle East starting Saturday, with discussions planned on the ongoing instability in southern Lebanon and the situation in Gaza.
Stéphane Séjourné
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is set to visit the Middle East starting Saturday, with discussions planned on the ongoing instability in southern Lebanon and the situation in Gaza.
This marks Séjourné's second trip to the region since assuming office, following his initial visit in early February.
Séjourné's tour will begin in Beirut, where he will discuss France's proposals aimed at restoring stability along the Lebanon-Israel border. These proposals were first introduced during his February visit and are part of France's broader effort to defuse the rising tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
The urgency of Séjourné's mission is underscored by recent high-level discussions in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nagib Mikati and the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun. These talks are part of a concerted effort to address the escalating violence in the region.
The Lebanese government's lack of autonomy concerning Hezbollah remains a significant challenge. The Iranian-backed Shiite movement continues to operate under Tehran's guidance, often ignoring international demands such as UN Resolution 1701, which calls for peace and stability in the area.
Neither Lebanon's Prime Minister nor its army has the influence needed to curb Hezbollah's provocative actions, which are expected to continue despite international efforts.
Following his discussions in Beirut, Séjourné will continue his tour, visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
By Michel Khoury
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas against what he called the "destructive approach" of several European countries, he said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will discuss the situations in Gaza and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza soon.
President Donald Trump stated Monday that he is offering “nothing” to Iran and has no communication with its leadership, days after warning he would not hesitate to launch further military strikes if Tehran pursued nuclear weapons.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.