Lebanon: Emmanuel Macron brings together a Defense and National Security Council

While Israel has announced the first “targeted” land incursions in southern Lebanon, Emmanuel Macron is convening a Defense and National Security Council this Tuesday evening, at 7:30 p.m., indicated Maud Brégeon. The government spokesperson recalled the “diplomatic solution” advocated by France, which was also “ready” to evacuate its nationals if necessary.

A French Navy vessel set sail on Monday from the south-east of France to preposition itself off the coast of Lebanon as a “precaution”, in the event of a need to evacuate some 23,000 French nationals, according to the military staff. Armies.

Traveling to the Middle East on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, relayed “the diplomatic solution supported by the President of the Republic (Emmanuel Macron) and by President (American Joe) Biden, to cease -fire,” continued the spokesperson.

Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed Friday in an Israeli strike, promised Monday to continue the fight against Israel and said it was “ready” to face a ground operation in southern Lebanon.

Faced with the deterioration of the situation and the suspension by many airlines of their flights to Beirut, several countries have taken measures to prepare for possible evacuations of their nationals. Washington has strengthened its military presence in the region, notably deploying the Harry Truman aircraft carrier.