Macron urges Israel-Lebanon talks and calls for halt to large-scale strikes

Riyadh, March 14 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to hold direct talks with Lebanon and urged the Israeli military to halt large-scale strikes amid the escalating conflict with Hezbollah.

Macron said the Lebanese government had signaled its willingness to engage in direct discussions with Israel and urged Israel to seize the opportunity to launch talks and pursue a ceasefire.

“All components of the country must be represented in them. Israel must seize this opportunity to launch talks and a ceasefire,” Macron wrote in a post on X.

He also called on Hezbollah to halt what he described as its escalation, urging all sides to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos.

Macron said France is ready to facilitate the discussions and host the talks in Paris.

The comments came as tensions intensified between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, with Israel raising the possibility of a major ground operation in Lebanon amid widespread displacement of civilians.

Lebanon’s health ministry said earlier that at least 773 people have been killed in the country since Israeli strikes began.