Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss strengthening support for the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces, according to the Lebanese presidency.
The talks between Aoun, Abdullah and Macron took place at Les Invalides in Paris on Thursday, ahead of a preparatory session for an international conference supporting Lebanon's army and security forces.
The three leaders discussed ways to deepen coordination and cooperation among their countries in areas of mutual interest, and reviewed the importance of France hosting a new round of Aqaba Process meetings focused on supporting the Lebanese army and strengthening its ability to protect the country's security, alongside the Internal Security Forces.
Abdullah launched the Aqaba Process in 2015 to strengthen coordination, cooperation and the exchange of expertise among regional and international partners in combating terrorism and extremism.
The meeting also addressed regional escalation, with the three leaders stressing the need to intensify international efforts toward comprehensive, sustainable de-escalation to restore stability to the region.
They discussed developments in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, according to the statement.
The occupied West Bank has witnessed escalating attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, while Israel has continued to violate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza reached last October under US President Donald Trump's sponsorship.
Aoun stressed that security in the region is interconnected and encouraged developing a regional security strategy based on shared energy projects and economic, security and political cooperation.
Ending Israeli attacks
Aoun and Macron met separately at the Elysee Palace ahead of the preparatory meeting, discussing efforts to end Israeli attacks on Lebanon amid Lebanese-US-Israeli negotiations and a framework agreement, according to the presidency.
The US-sponsored negotiating framework between Lebanon and Israel called for a phased Israeli withdrawal, the extension of Lebanese state authority and security arrangements along the border.
Aoun thanked Macron for France's support for Lebanon and his continued attention to the situation, as well as his efforts to strengthen the authority and sovereignty of the Lebanese state and support its security and military institutions.
Aoun also welcomed an initiative launched by Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni concerning the period following the end of the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
European force for Lebanon
In June, France and Italy proposed a European force to assist the Lebanese army once it deploys along the international border, pending agreement on an "appropriate legal framework." UNIFIL's mandate expires at the end of the year, amid discussions on the future of the international presence in southern Lebanon.
Aoun and Macron also agreed to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the economic and energy sectors, including resuming oil and gas exploration in Lebanese offshore blocks.
Aoun is in Paris for the preparatory meeting, which the presidency says aims to mobilise international support for the Lebanese army's and Internal Security Forces' equipment, training and capacity-building needs.
Israel has carried out attacks on Lebanon since March 2, killing at least 4,381 people, injuring 12,402, and displacing more than 1 million, Lebanese authorities say.
The attacks have continued despite a June 26 US-brokered framework providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the Lebanese army's deployment and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
