France Announces International Conference on Ceasefire in Lebanon; Israel, Iran Barred

France will host an international conference on Thursday aimed at promoting a ceasefire in Lebanon, bringing together foreign ministers from various European and Arab nations, along with a senior representative from the United States.

Israeli and Iranian officials have not been invited to this gathering, as reported by Israeli publication Haaretz on October 22.

French President Emmanuel Macron has echoed calls for a ceasefire and has urged Israel to cease its military operations in Lebanon. Resolution 1701, which authorized a UN peacekeeping mission to ensure the absence of armed groups in southern Lebanon, has not been effectively enforced, allowing Hezbollah to maintain a presence near the Israeli border.

The "International Ministerial Conference for Supporting Lebanon" is expected to attract delegations from over 70 countries and organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union, as well as various civil society groups. Macron and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati are scheduled to open the conference. The primary objective is to mobilize international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis facing Lebanon, including emergency protection and relief initiatives.

Discussion topics will include strategies to bolster Lebanese institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces, to maintain stability and sovereignty within the country. The conference will also stress the importance of establishing a ceasefire and seeking a diplomatic resolution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which facilitates the safe return of displaced individuals to their homes in both Lebanon and Israel. A Lebanese government delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will participate in the discussions.

The announcement of the conference comes amid heightened tensions between France and Israel. Relations have soured following President Macron's call for an arms embargo to halt the supply of weapons fueling the conflict in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded sharply, condemning Macron's stance as shameful. This exchange was further inflamed by comments from Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who also called for an arms embargo in response to Israeli military actions affecting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Additionally, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati recently criticized remarks from Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, who suggested Iran's readiness to negotiate a UN resolution concerning southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are engaged with Hezbollah. Mikati characterized Ghalibaf's comments as an interference in Lebanese affairs.

Euronaval 2024: Israeli Firms Can Attend, But No Arms Linked to Civilian Casualties

In the backdrop of this diplomatic initiative, France has reportedly suspended arms supplies to Israel and barred Israeli firms from exhibiting at the upcoming Euronaval arms show in Paris. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has announced that he is pursuing "legal and diplomatic measures" in response to this decision, labeling the ban as anti-democratic.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has clarified that while Israeli companies whose equipment was not involved in offensive actions could still participate in the trade show, it would be "incoherent" to allow the display of arms contributing to civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon.

“There has never been any question of banning the participation of Israeli companies in trade shows in France. Israeli companies, if they want, can attend Euronaval,” Barrot told the lawmakers at the National Assembly on October 22.