(11 Oct 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paphos, Cyprus – 11 October 2024
1. Wide of the press conference
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, French President:
“Finally, I’d like to talk about Lebanon with the Italian and Spanish prime ministers, who, like France, represent historic contributors to UNIFIL. I would like to say here that the 700 French soldiers involved in this force are a sign of our unwavering support and our desire to be committed to the security of both Israel and Lebanon. It is therefore totally unacceptable that UNIFIL troops should be deliberately targeted by Israeli armed forces. We condemn, do not tolerate and will not tolerate this happening again.”
3. Pan along ministers
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuel Macron, French President:
“We have reiterated the need for a ceasefire, and this ceasefire is essential both in Gaza and in Lebanon. We need it now, for our hostages, for the civilian populations who are victims of the violence, and to avoid a regional contamination that is threatening the stability of the entire region and beyond. This is why France has called for a halt to arms exports. Other leaders here have done the same, as we all know. This is the only lever we have today to put an end to it. Once again, let us be clear: this is not a call to disarm Israel against the threats to this friendly country and people, but a call to stop any further destabilization in this part of the world. Stability and peace will only come through diplomatic solutions.”
5. Wide of press conference
6. SOUNDBITE (French) French President Emmanuel Macron:
“The humanitarian plan presented to us by the King of Jordan is in line with our vision, and has received very broad support. France will contribute to it, as we have contributed to several operations to date. I think it’s important that as many regional and other countries as possible should be able to take part in the vital humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
7. Wide of press conference
STORYLINE:
French President Macron has, Friday, condemned the deliberate targeting of UNIFIL troops by Israeli armed forces.
Speaking at a press conference in Cyprus following a meeting of the nine southern European Union member countries and Jordan, Macron said: "We condemn, do not tolerate and will not tolerate this happening again.”
The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has confirmed that its headquarters in Naqoura was hit by explosions for the second time in 48 hours.
Macron stressed that the 700 French soldiers involved in UNIFIL are a "sign of our unwavering support and our desire to be committed to the security of both Israel and Lebanon."
Macron also reiterated of the need for a ceasefire and a "halt to arms exports."
"This is the only lever we have today to put an end to it."
But he also stressed that it was not a call to disarm Israel but a "call to stop any further destabilization in this part of the world."
The leaders are meeting in an attempt to come up with ways of de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East that is threatening to engulf Lebanon and trigger a wider humanitarian crisis.
Jordan’s King Abdullah joined the leaders of Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Portugal and Croatia, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday to brainstorm initiatives aimed at protecting Lebanese civilians caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah.
AP Video by Marine Lesprit
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