PARIS, April 21 (Reuters) – ⁠French ⁠President ⁠Emmanuel Macron said on ​Tuesday France will help ‌Lebanese authorities prepare ‌negotiations ⁠with ⁠Israel even if Paris was not directly ​part of the discussions.

Speaking at a ​news conference alongside Lebanon’s Prime ⁠Minister ⁠Nawaf Salam, ⁠Macron said ​it was “secondary” for France to ​be ⁠sitting at the table of negotiations as it was ⁠in Lebanon’s interest that everyone helps ⁠it in the negotiations.

France, which has deep historical ties with Lebanon, has sought to play a role in the talks, ⁠but has met resistance from both Israel and the United ​States.

(Reporting by John Irish, ​Dominique Vidalon)

Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

Photos You Should See – April 2026

Seagulls are pictured at the Baltic Sea beach in Timmendorfer Strand, Germany, on a sunny Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)