{"id":1894395,"date":"2026-04-21T12:46:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894395"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:46:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T09:46:20","slug":"frances-president-to-welcome-lebanons-pm-amid-fragile-ceasefire-and-tensions-with-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894395","title":{"rendered":"France&#8217;s president to welcome Lebanon&#8217;s PM amid fragile ceasefire and tensions with Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/1200x675_cmsv2_57d53044-728e-5aec-a018-4e42cecdd5ea-9730016.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            France&#8217;s president to welcome Lebanon&#8217;s PM amid fragile ceasefire and tensions with Israel<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/1536x864_cmsv2_57d53044-728e-5aec-a018-4e42cecdd5ea-9730016.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A portrait of late Hezbollah leader placed on a destroyed building in Beirut, 20 April, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A portrait of late Hezbollah leader placed on a destroyed building in Beirut, 20 April, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspSophia Khatsenkova\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776775580\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-21 14:46:20 +02:00\">21\/04\/2026 &#8211; 14:46 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The visit highlights France&#8217;s efforts to back the Lebanese state even as its diplomatic standing with Israel weakens.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Emmanuel Macron will host Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday evening, as new talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place in Washington on Thursday. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The visit comes as the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace said France intends to&#8221;reaffirm its commitment to the strict respect of the ceasefire, France&#8217;s support for Lebanon&#8217;s territorial integrity and the steps taken by the Lebanese state to fully guarantee its sovereignty and arms monopoly.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This diplomatic sequence is unfolding in a particularly tense atmosphere <strong>following the death<\/strong> on Saturday of a French soldier serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).<\/p>\n<p>All 15 members of the UN Security Council condemned the attack and called for those responsible&#8221;to be brought to justice without delay.&#8221;The French President and the UN blame the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. <\/p>\n<p>On Monday, Macron accused the group of killing Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio in an ambush targeting UN peacekeepers on Saturday, while insisting the soldier had not been targeted because he was a French citizen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/808x539_cmsv2_b571346e-1b4e-5555-acf1-92eab7a3f0e2-9730016.jpg\" alt=\"France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech in Paris, 21 April, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">France&#8217;s President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech in Paris, 21 April, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Hezbollah did indeed target our soldiers (&#8230;) They didn&#8217;t target them because they were French. They targeted them because they were carrying out their mission_,&#8221;_ Macron said at a press conference in Poland.<\/p>\n<p>Macron also said that &#8220;the Lebanese authorities have condemned this attack and will take the necessary steps to arrest those responsible and ensure that they are punished.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The future of the UN&#8217;s security mission to southern Lebanon is also in question. <\/p>\n<p>The UNIFIL mission is due to <strong>start withdrawing<\/strong> its peacekeepers at the end of the year.<\/p>\n<p>This prospect raises a central question: who will ensure the future security in the border area between Lebanon and Israel, two countries that have been at war since 1948? <\/p>\n<p>Deployed since 1978, UNIFIL&#8217;s role has been to help restore peace and support the Lebanese state authority in the south of the country.<\/p>\n<p>Shortly before the meeting between Macron and Salam, an Elys\u00e9e Palace adviser told journalists, including Euronews**,** that discussions were underway with European countries already involved in the UN mission, including Spain, Italy and Germany.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/808x539_cmsv2_9256daff-469c-5db0-b941-420cd6cb921f-9730016.jpg\" alt=\"French UN peacekeepers patrol the Suluki Valley in south Lebanon, 20 August, 2025\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">French UN peacekeepers patrol the Suluki Valley in south Lebanon, 20 August, 2025<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;These actors are now making a very direct contribution to the discussions on what an international force to support the Lebanese government might look like,&#8221; he said, adding that this did not necessarily mean that these countries would be involved in Lebanon once the UN withdrew.<\/p>\n<p>But this strategic reflection comes at a time when France&#8217;s diplomatic position seems to have weakened.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Paris&#8217; interest in playing a mediating role in the new direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, Israeli officials have insisted that France is not involved in the negotiations. <\/p>\n<p>The Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said last week that officials do &#8220;not want the French anywhere near these negotiations.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We like to keep the French as far away as possible from pretty much everything, but particularly when it comes to peace negotiations,&#8221; he continued.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/808x539_cmsv2_a3199359-4a05-5d2e-a960-b4c78236cafc-9730016.jpg\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, 24 July, 2025 \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, 24 July, 2025 <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Among Israel&#8217;s many grievances against France are the exclusion of a dozen Israeli defence companies from the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in Paris and the Paris <strong>Air Show 2025<\/strong>, as well as France&#8217;s leading role in <strong>recognising Palestinian statehood.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>France&#8217;s exclusion is all the more striking given the country&#8217;s longstanding historic ties with Lebanon, inherited from the French mandate after World War I.<\/p>\n<p>Paris also helped facilitate the indirect talks that led to the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. <\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the conflict in the Middle East is also weighing on France&#8217;s own budget. <\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, the government is due to unveil new spending cuts to <strong>offset the economic impact<\/strong> of the war, estimated at between \u20ac4-6 billion for France. <\/p>\n<p>Announcements are expected later on Tuesday. In particular, Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu is due to speak on fuel subsidies as prices skyrocket, with the possibility of extending measures already in place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Israel accuses Hezbollah militants of violating ceasefire<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;Insult of top of mockery&#8217;: Meloni criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  France&#8217;s president to welcome Lebanon&#8217;s PM amid fragile ceasefire and tensions with Israel<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Israel Iran conflict<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Emmanuel Macron<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Lebanon<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_ec3a5a35-876b-5cca-bf56-8a48f197ccde-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, 21 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Iran delegation sent to talks with US yet as truce set to expire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_ec3a5a35-876b-5cca-bf56-8a48f197ccde-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, 21 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Iran delegation sent to talks with US yet as truce set to expire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887803-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887803\" data-cid=\"9729751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887803-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/97\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_1497bb4e-00d2-5058-ba77-95644c9d6610-9729751.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU optimistic about ending Hungary&#8217;s veto on \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887576-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887576\" data-cid=\"9728500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Stranded cruise ships on way to Europe after passing Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887652-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887652\" data-cid=\"9728948\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Whale stranded on German coast swims off and gets stuck again<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887687-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887687\" data-cid=\"9729167\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump refuses to lift Hormuz blockade until Iran deal agreed<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Emmanuel Macron will host Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday evening, as new talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place in Washington on Thursday.The visit comes as the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace said France intends to &#8220;reaffirm its commitment to the strict respect of the ceasefire, France&#8217;s support for Lebanon&#8217;s territorial integrity and the steps taken by the Lebanese state to fully guarantee its sovereignty and arms monopoly.&#8221;This diplomatic sequence is unfolding in a particularly tense atmosphere following the death on Saturday of a French soldier serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).All 15 members of the UN Security Council condemned the attack and called for those responsible &#8220;to be brought to justice without delay.&#8221; The French President and the UN blame the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah.On Monday, Macron accused the group of killing Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio in an ambush targeting UN peacekeepers on Saturday, while insisting the soldier had not been targeted because he was a French citizen.&#8221;Hezbollah did indeed target our soldiers (&#8230;) They didn&#8217;t target them because they were French. They targeted them because they were carrying out their mission,&#8221; Macron said at a press conference in Poland.Macron also said that &#8220;the Lebanese authorities have condemned this attack and will take the necessary steps to arrest those responsible and ensure that they are punished.&#8221;The future of the UN&#8217;s security mission to southern Lebanon is also in question.The UNIFIL mission is due to start withdrawing its peacekeepers at the end of the year.This prospect raises a central question: who will ensure the future security in the border area between Lebanon and Israel, two countries that have been at war since 1948?Deployed since 1978, UNIFIL&#8217;s role has been to help restore peace and support the Lebanese state authority in the south of the country.Shortly before the meeting between Macron and Salam, an Elys\u00e9e Palace adviser told journalists, including Euronews, that discussions were underway with European countries already involved in the UN mission, including Spain, Italy and Germany.&#8221;These actors are now making a very direct contribution to the discussions on what an international force to support the Lebanese government might look like,&#8221; he said, adding that this did not necessarily mean that these countries would be involved in Lebanon once the UN withdrew.But this strategic reflection comes at a time when France&#8217;s diplomatic position seems to have weakened.Despite Paris&#8217; interest in playing a mediating role in the new direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, Israeli officials have insisted that France is not involved in the negotiations.The Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said last week that officials do &#8220;not want the French anywhere near these negotiations.&#8221;&#8221;We like to keep the French as far away as possible from pretty much everything, but particularly when it comes to peace negotiations,&#8221; he continued.Among Israel&#8217;s many grievances against France are the exclusion of a dozen Israeli defence companies from the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in Paris and the Paris Air Show 2025, as well as France&#8217;s leading role in recognising Palestinian statehood.France&#8217;s exclusion is all the more striking given the country&#8217;s longstanding historic ties with Lebanon, inherited from the French mandate after World War I.Paris also helped facilitate the indirect talks that led to the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.At the same time, the conflict in the Middle East is also weighing on France&#8217;s own budget.On Tuesday, the government is due to unveil new spending cuts to offset the economic impact of the war, estimated at between \u20ac4-6 billion for France.Announcements are expected later on Tuesday. In particular, Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu is due to speak on fuel subsidies as prices skyrocket, with the possibility of extending measures already in place.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/21\/frances-president-to-welcome-lebanons-pm-amid-fragile-ceasefire-and-tensions-with-israel&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/1200x675_cmsv2_57d53044-728e-5aec-a018-4e42cecdd5ea-9730016.jpg&#8221;] Destinations Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026 Europe News Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire Gaza Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says Travel News \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels Destinations Travelling to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1894395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1894395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894395\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1894395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1894395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1894395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}