During a Cyprus summit bringing together the Mediterranean countries of the European Union (Med9), Emmanuel Macron strongly denounced the Israeli strikes which touched UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
According to the French president, these attacks are “completely unacceptable”, saying that France would not tolerate that they are reproducing. The incident, which took place the day before, made two injured among the Indonesian peacekeepers deployed in the region as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Finul). This attack sparked international indignation, several countries firmly condemning the actions of the Israeli army. Rome even mentioned the possibility of “war crimes”, and Paris summoned the Israel’s ambassador to France to explain it.
In his intervention, Emmanuel Macron also addressed the issue of arms sales. He estimated that “ceasing exports of arms” to conflict zones, notably Gaza and Lebanon, was “the only lever” to put an end to hostilities. He said, however, that this measure did not aim to disarm Israel, but to reduce the escalation of violence. “France and other leaders here present call to stop these exports, because it is the only way to stop fighting,” he said.
The leaders of the Mediterranean countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, also stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire. They called for an end of hostilities and the resumption of negotiations to achieve a lasting solution in the region. The Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed in conclusion of the summit the collective will of these countries to contribute to stability and peace in this area in the grip of recurring tensions.
