Following the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed his American counterpart, Joe Biden, yesterday, Saturday. The visit included discussions on trade, the Middle East, and Ukraine. Macron told reporters at the Élysée Palace, with Biden alongside him, that both countries would intensify their efforts to prevent the situation in the Middle East from exploding due to the Israeli war with Hamas in Gaza, with a focus on easing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron stated, "We are making joint efforts to avoid a regional explosion, especially in Lebanon." The two leaders emphasized the urgent need to end the 18-month presidential vacuum in Lebanon and proceed without further delay to elect a president, form a government, and implement necessary reforms for the stabilization of the Lebanese economy and the establishment of foundations for comprehensive and sustainable recovery and growth.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, they affirmed the necessity of releasing all hostages immediately and unconditionally. They expressed their profound concern over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for Israel to make greater efforts to effectively protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers. They reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution, "the only way to ensure lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
