Berri receives call from Macron, urges int'l efforts for Israel's withdrawal

Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron during which they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as the developments resulting from “Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon and its systematic destruction of dozens of occupied southern Lebanese villages and towns,” Berri’s office said.

“During the call, President Macron affirmed France's continued support for Lebanon and its commitment to prioritizing Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, offering support on all levels, particularly for the army and reconstruction efforts. He also expressed the readiness of France and other friendly nations to assist Lebanon in overcoming this critical phase,” the statement said.

Berri for his part thanked the French president and France for their “constant support for Lebanon,” stressing the importance of “expediting exceptional international efforts to compel Israel to stop its war on Lebanon and withdraw from the occupied territories up to the international border.”

Berri also called for the Lebanese Army to be deployed in the south and for residents to return to their towns, cities and villages, in preparation for launching the reconstruction process.