PARIS, France, June 1 (AFP): France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he had encouraged his US counterpart Donald Trump to pursue his "determined efforts" to reach a ceasefire deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.
In a phone call on Sunday night, "I welcomed the determined efforts he is making to swiftly reach an agreement between the United States and Iran, which represents a unique opportunity to build a new security framework that brings together all the parties concerned, in order to allow for lasting stabilisation of the region," Macron said on X.
Tehran has said that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any deal with Washington, after Israel's military seized a medieval castle in south Lebanon as it expands ground operations against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
"I also welcomed President Trump's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the importance of a robust ceasefire and of our collective support for the Lebanese authorities," Macron wrote.
Meanwhile, Macron on Sunday also said that "nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon" where Israeli forces have launched a new offensive against Hezbollah.
In a message on X after speaking with regional leaders, Macron said it was "essential" for an agreement to be reached quickly between the United States and Iran.
Macron held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
At France's request, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday after the Israeli army, which is expanding its operations in Lebanon, seized the medieval Beaufort castle in the country's south.
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