MOSCOW, April 22 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) - Paris will assist Lebanon in preparations for negotiations with Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"We will assist, as far as we can, the Lebanese government in preparing for these negotiations and in developing the necessary plan to restore full sovereignty," Macron said during a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday.
France will also deliver nearly 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon in the coming days, bringing the total amount of humanitarian aid donated by Paris to 70 tonnes, Macron added.
Macron noted that France is prepared to continue its military presence in Lebanon after the completion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission at the end of 2026.
"If Lebanon so desires, France is also prepared to continue its commitment on the ground after UNIFIL's planned departure at the end of the year, along with its most involved partners, within a framework that we will need to define together," Macron said.
In addition to participating in the UN mission, France is training the Lebanese army and supplying it with weapons and equipment.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
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