French President Macron and UN chief Guterres urge Israeli military to leave south Lebanon



French President Emmanuel Macron and UN chief António Guterres have called on the Israeli military to withdraw from south Lebanon, during separate visits to the country.

The visits are a show of support for Lebanon after its parliament recently elected a new president and prime minister-designate, ending more than two years of political stalemate.

They come as the January 26 deadline to fully implement a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah approaches. One of the terms of the deal is that Israel must completely withdraw from south Lebanon and the Lebanese Army – alongside UN peacekeepers (Unifil) – moves into those positions.

Alongside its bombardment of Lebanon, Israel launched a ground invasion last year – with some soldiers still in Lebanese territory and continuing to demolish border villages.

“There have been results … but they must be accelerated and long-lasting,” Mr Macron said, alongside Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun. “There needs to be complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the Lebanese Army must hold total monopoly of any weapons.” Mr Aoun was until last Thursday the commander of the Lebanese Army.

Under the terms of the deal, which is based around UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Hezbollah must also withdraw to the north of the Litani River.

“The continued occupation by the [Israeli army] inside the Unifil area of operations and the conduct of military operations in Lebanese territory are violations of resolution 1701 and pose continued risk to your safety and security,” Mr Guterres told peacekeepers in the border town of Naqoura, where the headquarters of Unifil are.

Mr Guterres also revealed that since the November 27 ceasefire, UN peacekeepers had found more than 100 weapons caches that he said belonged “to Hezbollah or other armed groups” in south Lebanon. Mr Macron also announced that Paris would in the coming weeks host an international reconstruction conference for Lebanon

“This is a message of gratitude,” Mr Macron said at the airport as he made his first trip to Lebanon since visiting Beirut days after the August 2020 port blast there. The explosion killed more than 220 people, injured thousands and devastated large parts of the capital.

Mr Macron went to the eastern Beirut neighbourhood of Gemmayze that was severely damaged by the blast. He also met UN peacekeeping mission chief Aroldo Lazaro and the heads of an international committee with the responsibility of monitoring any breaking of a ceasefire. “Things are moving forward, the dynamic is positive” on the implementation of the ceasefire, he said.

The election of Mr Aoun and his designation of Nawaf Salam, the former president of the International Court of Justice, as Prime Minister, has brought hope of positive change in Lebanon – something Mr Macron alluded to.

“Since January 9, in the middle of winter, spring has sprung,” Mr Macron said. “You are this hope,” he said, referring to Mr Aoun and Mr Salem.

The French President's first meeting was at the airport with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. French officials have sought to describe Mr Macron's visit as a support for Lebanon's new leaders moving forward.

Mr Macron is also expected to meet Mr Guterres in the Lebanese capital ahead of the January 26 ceasefire deadline.

“A window has opened for a new era of institutional stability with a state fully able to protect its citizens and a system that would allow the tremendous potential of the Lebanese people to flourish,” Mr Guterres said. “We will do everything to help keep that window open wide.”

Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Milkman by Anna Burns

Ordinary People by Diana Evans

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Circe by Madeline Miller

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Updated: January 18, 2025, 6:57 AM