France urges Europe to boost Lebanon's security amid regional conflict

Paris, June 3 (EFE) – French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on European countries Wednesday to enhance their commitment to Lebanon's security, asserting that the situation there "directly impacts" the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations and the broader Middle East conflict.

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The Lebanese issue impacts the negotiations between the United States and Iran very directly.

Speaking before the National Assembly, Lecornu emphasized that Lebanon cannot be sidelined in the current regional war, partly due to the strong ties between Iran and the Shiite militia Hezbollah. He also demanded that Israel "end the war" and its "illegal occupation" in southern Lebanon, arguing that the conflict jeopardizes Israel's own security.

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Lebanon cannot be ignored in the current war in the Middle East.

Lecornu outlined France's intention to spearhead a new European mission focused on supporting Lebanon's security, designed to complement the existing UN Interim Force in Lebanon (FINUL). "We will do this with our European partners, because we must not be alone in this matter," he stated, noting that while Italy has been supportive, other European nations need to be more actively involved.

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We will do this with our European partners, because we must not be alone in this matter and, without wanting to create a useless (diplomatic) incident, we have sometimes been very alone. Fortunately, the Italians were there, but other European countries must be on the front line to help us with Lebanon's security.

France intends to maintain "firm and balanced" pressure on Israel but refrained from commenting on a potential suspension of the EU-Israel free trade agreement. Lecornu's appeal underscores France's concern over regional stability and its desire for a more unified European approach to the complex security challenges in Lebanon.

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The Israeli state, its government, is only putting its own security at risk.