France prepares draft agreement to end Lebanon-Israel conflict
Moscow — France has prepared a draft agreement to end the Israel-Lebanon conflict that would require Beirut to recognise Israel, according to Axios citing three sources familiar with the matter.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that his country was prepared to host negotiations to resolve the Lebanon conflict. The meeting, aimed at preventing the Middle Eastern state from descending into chaos, is planned to be held in Paris.
Axios clarified that Israeli and US authorities are currently analysing the proposed draft. According to the publication, Israel and Lebanon will commence negotiations with support from the United States and France.
Negotiations will begin among senior diplomatic officials, then will involve “senior political leaders”. French representatives want the talks to take place in Paris.
It is also noted that the proposed declaration will include Lebanon’s initial recognition of Israel and the Lebanese government’s commitment to respect Israel’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The plan also requires Lebanon to declare its readiness to negotiate a non-aggression agreement with Israel.
The agreement will be signed within two months and will end the formal state of war between the two countries that has existed since 1948, according to sources cited by the portal.
After the non-aggression pact is signed, Israel will withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon that it has held since November 2024.
Israel and Lebanon will also reaffirm their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006 and the 2024 ceasefire agreement.
The final phase of France’s plan calls for the establishment of borders between Israel-Lebanon and Lebanon-Syria by the end of 2026, Axios reported.
The portal noted that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has appointed a team for the negotiation plan with Israel. According to various US and Israeli sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked former Strategic Planning Chief Ron Dermer to handle Lebanon affairs during the conflict.
According to the source, Dermer will continue communicating with the Trump administration and lead any negotiations with the Lebanese government, should direct talks commence within the coming weeks, according to sources cited by Axios.
It is unknown which US representatives will participate in such negotiations. According to sources, one of Dermer’s main tasks is to agree on a mediator with the Trump administration.
On the evening of 2 March, Hezbollah continued military operations against Israel following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, the Israeli military launched intensive attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut and dozens of towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon.
According to official data, 570 people have been killed and 1,444 others wounded, with approximately 800,000 residents forcibly displaced.