PARIS (Reuters): French President Emmanuel Macron called on all foreign powers to stop interfering in Lebanese politics and urged all Lebanese sides to fully implement a pact to keep out of regional conflicts.
“For Lebanon to be protected from regional crises it’s essential that all Lebanese parties and regional actors respect the principle of non-interference,” Macron said at the opening of international meeting on Lebanon in Paris.
“The meeting today must show the will of international community to see the policy of regional disassociation put into place effectively by all in the country.” Speaking at a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, Macron said:
“The recent political crisis in Lebanon was caused by local and regional tensions.”
Hariri on Tuesday revoked his earlier resignation — tendered from Saudi Arabia one month ago — and declared his government’s desire to avoid entanglements in other countries’ internal affairs. Macron called Hariri’s decision “a positive step” and Lebanon’s stability is essential for the entire region.
“For Lebanon to be protected from regional crises it’s essential that all Lebanese parties and regional actors respect the principle of non-interference,” Macron said.
“The interference of Lebanese armed groups in regional conflicts cannot go on. Hezbollah must abide by the dissociation policy,” the French leader said, adding:
“It is highly important to hold parliamentary polls in Lebanon as scheduled in May.” “The meeting today must show the will of international community to see the policy of regional disassociation put into place effectively by all in the country,” he said.
Macron urged the international community to mobilize and do more to keep security and stability in Lebanon and also provide humanitarian and economic support.
“The disassociation policy is driven by my government and adopted by all its political components and will allow us to maintain our national unity,” Hariri said.
“The stability of Lebanon may seem like a small miracle given the many conflicts that destabilize the region, but it is maintained at the cost of sacrifice, dialogue and compromise,” Prime Minister Saad Hariri added, continuing: “Lebanon’s stability is a priority to ensure stability in the region.”
Both leaders also expressed their opposition to the American decision concerning Jerusalem and agreed it would only complicate peace talks between Israel and Palestine, destabilizing the region even more.
