New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday promised to ramp up military aid to Lebanon, as Beirut promised to actively take over positions held by Hezbollah in the country. Macron also urged Israel to stop expanding its military operations across Lebanon as the conflict in West Asia continued for the seventh day.
“It is to halt the war and prevent the worst that, following my exchanges with (US) President (Donald) Trump and (Israel) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu, I spoke today with Lebanon’s highest authorities in order to establish a plan to bring an end to the military operations currently being carried out by Hezbollah and Israel on either side of the border,” Macron said in a statement on X.
“The Lebanese authorities have given me their commitment to take control of the positions held by Hezbollah and to fully assume responsibility for security across the entire national territory. I give them my full support.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Macron to step in and prevent the bombing of the southern suburbs of Beirut, which are considered to be strongholds of Hezbollah.
The armed group was formed in the aftermath of Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, between 1982 and 2000, and is considered to be one of the world’s best equipped armed militias.
Hezbollah began launching rockets across the border to support Iran following the joint US-Israel attack on Tehran last Saturday that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“At this moment of great danger, I call on the Israeli Prime Minister not to expand the war to Lebanon. I call on Iranian leaders not to further draw Lebanon into a war that is not its own,” said Macron.
For Lebanon we must act.
Everything must be done to prevent this country, so close to France, from once again being drawn into war.
The Lebanese have a right to peace and security—like everyone in the Middle East.…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 5, 2026
Tehran has vowed revenge for the killing of Khamenei. Its retaliation has seen at least half a dozen countries hit by a barrage of loitering munitions and missiles, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia. At least six American soldiers have been killed as part of Iran’s retaliation. Lebanon has also been deeply impacted by the situation.
Hezbollah itself has been severely degraded by Israeli security forces since it started launching rockets following Palestinian militant group Hamas’ 7 October, 2023, attack on Israel. Its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in 2024 as part of Tel Aviv’s retaliation to Hezbollah’s consistent rocket fire. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire that lasted for well over a year until the current crisis in the region.
“Hezbollah must renounce its weapons, respect the national interest, show that it is not a militia taking orders from abroad, and allow the Lebanese to come together to preserve their country,” the French President urged.
Macron also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday, regarding the “evolving situation in West Asia”. Modi in a statement on X said the two leaders discussed the “need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy”.
“We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” said Modi after the call with Macron. The French President is keen to protect Paris’ interests in the region. Macron also ordered France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to move to the region to help protect allied interests.
The West Asian region has been engulfed in war since the strike against Khamenei. US Secretary of Defence (War) Pete Hegseth announced in a press briefing Thursday that the American build-up in the region is increasing as Washington is keen to expand its strikes against Tehran.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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