France offers to broker Lebanon-Israel talks: What do we know?
Al Jazeera
Diplomatic efforts come amid threat of an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and sustained air raids.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said Paris is ready to mediate a truce between Lebanon and Israel, saying that Lebanese leaders are willing to engage in direct talks in a major shift in the country’s approach towards Israel.
Macron’s statement on Saturday came as Israel continued its attacks, killing more than 800 people in Lebanon and displacing some 800,000. Israel has issued forced evacuation orders for all residents south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. Reports also suggest that Israeli forces are preparing for a major ground invasion there.
Israel launched strikes on Lebanon after the Hezbollah group fired rockets in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 1, a day after the United States and Israel started the war. Hezbollah had not responded to near-daily attacks carried out by Israel since the November 2024 ceasefire.
Let’s unpack what France has said and what it means.
Macron said he spoke with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri.
Mayor’s wife, Rama Duwaji, criticised for past work related to Palestine, while Mamdani’s response rebuked by some supporters.
Bruno Fernandes reaches 100 assists in all competitions after setting up two goals in crucial 3-1 win over Villa.
Record oil release steadies markets, but war-driven disruption in the Strait of Hormuz will keep global energy supplies uncertain.
Analysts say US president’s solution to secure the strait is fraught with problems.
The fixture, part of the Qatar Football Festival, has been cancelled amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
Zahra Ghanbari becomes the fifth player to withdraw request after seven members of her football squad sought asylum in Australia.
New, critical dynamics are emerging in the region that could reshape it in dramatic ways.
Diplomatic efforts come amid threat of an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and sustained air raids.
Japanese football legend says his opinion prompts a US company to cancel an advertising campaign before the FIFA World Cup.
Diplomatic norms, law and institutions have proven to be no hindrance to the US president. Can he really do anything he wants?
Each person shot in the head in the village of Tammun, while two other children of the deceased couple sustain injuries.
Govt spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani says US-Israeli strikes have damaged more than 42,000 civilian sites across Iran.