France Highlights Key Role in Securing Lebanon Truce Deal

France’s foreign minister highlighted his country’s crucial role in facilitating the agreement that ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, working alongside the U.S. He emphasized that the deal would not have been achievable without France’s strong historical ties with Lebanon.

Jean-Noël Barrot expressed pride in the success of French diplomacy, stating that France’s long-standing relationship with Lebanon made its involvement essential for a ceasefire. While acknowledging the U.S.’s special relationship with Israel, he pointed out that France’s deep-rooted connections with Lebanon were key to the ceasefire’s realization.

Barrot confirmed that France would contribute to monitoring the ceasefire, with 700 French soldiers part of the 10,000-member United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) that has been stationed along the Lebanon-Israel border for nearly five decades. Additionally, he mentioned France’s plans to support Lebanese troops stationed in the southern region as part of the ceasefire, though he did not specify the details of this support.