ALBAWABA- French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for a 12-hour visit, marking a significant step in supporting Lebanon’s newly ele

BEIRUT (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel on Friday to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a deadline nears for the pullout under the terms of a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah last year.

Macron also spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the visit. Paris has sought to get Riyadh to re-engage in Lebanon for months and the arrival of Joseph Aoun to the presidency and Nawaf Salam as prime minister has helped that process.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that Israel must accelerate its withdrawal from south Lebanon to achieve a full pullout,

French President Emmanuel Macron calls for 'accelerating' implementation of cease-fire between Israel, Hezbollah during his visit to Beirut - Anadolu Ajansı

Emmanuel Macron is the first foreign head of state to visit Beirut since Joseph Aoun was elected as Lebanon’s president.

The French president made the announcement as he visited Beirut in a show of support for Lebanon's new leaders.

French leader Emmanuel macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for his first visit to Lebanon since Joseph Aoun was elected president, ending a two-year presidential vacuum. Macron's plane landed at Rafic Hariri International Airport at 7 am (0500GMT),

Emmanuel Macron will visit Lebanon to help form a new government and implement reforms post-2020 political deadlock. Renewed international engagement, including support from France, aims to boost Lebanon's sovereignty and economy.

By The Associated Press A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took effect on Sunday following an almost three-hour delay after Hamas was late to name the three hostage it plans to release. The

BEIRUT, Jan 17 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel on Friday to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a deadline nears for the pullout under the terms of a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah last year.