France to host Lebanon aid conference: Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron says France will host an international conference this month to help drum up humanitarian aid for Lebanon and strengthen security in the southern part of the country.
“We will hold in the next few weeks a conference to provide humanitarian aid, support the international community and support the Lebanese armed forces boost security, especially in southern Lebanon,” Macron said.
Macron says 88 Francophone countries call for ‘immediate’ ceasefire in Lebanon
The 88 members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), including France and Canada, call for an “immediate and lasting” ceasefire in Lebanon, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.
“We have unanimously expressed ourselves in favour of an immediate and lasting ceasefire and have stated our commitment to de-escalating tensions in the region,” Macron told reporters at the end of a “Francophonie” summit.
Earlier, we reported on comments from Macron saying France would hold an international conference in support of Lebanon in October.
Netanyahu slams Macron for urging weapons deliveries halt
As we reported earlier, France’s President Emmanuel Macron called for a halt to weapons deliveries to Israel. Those comments triggered a swift response by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side,” he said in a statement issued by his office. “Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them.”
Israel was fighting a war on several fronts against groups backed by arch-foe Iran, the statement added.
Israel will retaliate against Iran when the time is right, army says
Israel will retaliate against Iran for the missile attack launched by Tehran when the time is right, a military spokesperson said on Saturday, adding that two airbases struck in the attack remained fully operational and no aircraft were damaged.
“The way in which we respond to this disgraceful attack will be in the manner, at the location and the timing which we decide, according to the political leadership’s instructions,” Daniel Hagari said in a broadcast statement.
