French FM in Lebanon to call for 'peace' amid Israeli aggression
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As "Israel" continues its incursions into Lebanese territory, Hezbollah has been responding with measured resistance, targeting military gatherings and installations in northern occupied Palestine.
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French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne attends a meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 28, 2024 (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne on Sunday embarked on his second visit to the country since the onset of the resistance operations in southern Lebanon in support of the Gaza resistance.
As "Israel" continues its attacks into Lebanese territory, Hezbollah has been responding with measured resistance, targeting military gatherings and installations in northern occupied Palestine.
During his visit to UNIFIL headquarters, Sejourne reaffirmed France's so-called commitment to peace, and announced: "I will head to Beirut to meet political authorities to... make proposals."
"Our responsibility is to mitigate escalation, and that is also our role in UNIFIL. We have 700 soldiers here," he added.
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Sejourne is due to meet with Lebanese authorities on Sunday afternoon ahead of holding a press conference.
His visit, which includes a stop in Riyadh for a Gaza summit, coincides with US envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to occupied Al-Quds, both aimed at de-escalating tensions along the Palestinian-Lebanon border.
Hezbollah insists that only a Gaza ceasefire will halt its attacks on "Israel."
On April 21, sources close to the Elysee Palace confirmed to Al Mayadeen that the Israeli Prime Minister is pushing France to pressure Lebanon into a ceasefire on the northern front.
The initiative was reportedly requested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and backed by the United States, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to renew efforts towards Lebanon
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In March, Lebanon responded to France's diplomatic proposal, which was based on a UN resolution limiting military presence in south Lebanon to Lebanese and UNIFIL forces.
The original proposal, which suggested halting operations by the Israeli side in exchange for Hezbollah moving seven kilometers away from the blue line separating Lebanon and occupied Palestine, was met with rejection by the Lebanese side, especially Hezbollah.
In return, "Israel" was to agree to cease military operations and make commitments to demarcate the land borders, address the Lebanese oil and gas dispute, and facilitate progress in the political process within Lebanon.
Sources told Al Mayadeen earlier this month that the French initiative was amended, abandoning the earlier Israeli request that the Resistance moves away 7 km from the Blue Line.
Instead, it proposes the withdrawal of "specific military capabilities of Hezbollah" from the borders, although the exact nature of these capabilities remains undisclosed. In exchange, "Israel" would halt all military operations and violations in Lebanese airspace, along with addressing other components from the previous initiative.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati, leading a caretaker government, stated on a Friday that France was reviewing its proposal and planning to submit a new one to Beirut.
