Beirut: The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received a telephone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, where they reviewed the general situation in Lebanon and the region in light of the results of the US-Iran negotiations held in Switzerland.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the conversation also covered the situation in southern Lebanon following the announcement of the ceasefire and the steps required to ensure its implementation. Presidents Aoun and Macron discussed the outcomes of the recent G7 summit held in €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬°vian, France, with Aoun expressing gratitude for the G7 countries' position on Lebanon.

The leaders' discussions included the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), particularly in view of several European countries' interest, supported by Lebanon, in maintaining a military presence in the international operations area. Macron indicated he would conduct consultations with various states to clarify their stance on this potential participation, especially since UNIFIL's withdrawal is scheduled to begin in early 2027. He emphasized the need to establish a suitable framework for any future international presence.

The presidents also addressed Lebanese-Syrian relations and the ongoing coordination between the two countries. Aoun welcomed recent statements from Syrian President Ahmed al-Charaa, affirming respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and ensuring Syria's non-intervention in Lebanon militarily. Al-Charaa stated that cooperation with Beirut would occur solely through official Lebanese state institutions, not through parallel actors.

Aoun and Macron agreed to maintain regular contact to monitor the situation's progress, strengthen the ceasefire efforts, and further the extension of state authority across Lebanese territory. President Aoun extended his thanks to his French counterpart for his unwavering attention to Lebanon in various domains.