French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France will organize a conference to support the Lebanese armed forces, a move intended to stabilize the region after truce talks between Lebanon and Israel have stalled. Speaking to reporters in Qatar, Macron indicated that timing the event after the Israeli elections is strategic, as he believed it would be inefficient to convene the gathering before the vote. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Israel is scheduled to go to the polls on October 27, a date that will likely influence the diplomatic momentum in the Levant.
The conference aims to reinforce the Lebanese army's role in the southern border region, where a framework agreement signed in June involves the disarmament of Hezbollah and a gradual Israeli withdrawal. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that despite this agreement, Hezbollah has continued to resist surrendering its weapons and engaging in direct negotiations with Israel. This resistance has kept tensions high, particularly after the group drew Lebanon into a broader Middle East conflict this year through attacks on Israel, which responded with significant aerial strikes and a ground invasion.
Simultaneously, Macron addressed domestic challenges in France, where recent street riots have strained the government's control and rattled financial markets. Hespress English reported that Macron took aim at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting they are exploiting France's unrest for their own electoral advantages. Macron noted that leaders in campaign mode are making comments at France's expense, a period that is six months ahead of the French presidential election to choose his successor.
The financial impact of the unrest has been significant, with the yield on France's benchmark 10-year bond surpassing five percent as investors demand higher returns due to fiscal concerns. Hespress English noted that a rising yield signifies a drop in bond prices, while the Paris stock market also fell. Additionally, Moody’s is expected to lower its rating on France's public debt on Friday. To manage the situation, authorities in Paris and other cities have imposed nighttime curfews, and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has vowed a massive police deployment for upcoming demonstrations by the Yellow Vest movement.