Pak-France urge calm in Lebanon amid rising deaths

Pakistan and France on Thursday expressed “serious concern” over the Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

During a “warm and cordial” telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and French President Emmanuel Macron, the latter conveyed his good wishes to the prime minister for the success of the upcoming peace talks in Islamabad.

According to the PM Office, President Macron called Sharif and congratulated him for Pakistan’s mediation efforts that had resulted in the ceasefire between Iran and the US and brought both sides to the negotiating table.” Both leaders expressed their serious concern over the ongoing aggression in Lebanon and stressed upon the urgent need to end the violence and killings, so that peace could be re-established in the entire region,” according to the PMO statement.

While thanking President Macron for supporting Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to strive for peace and stability in the region. The two leaders also agreed to remain in contact.

Earlier in the day, in Beirut, Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people were killed in widespread Israeli strikes in central Beirut and other areas of Lebanon on Wednesday.

Pakistan is set to host the high-stakes in-person talks between the US and Iran on Friday, aiming to consolidate a fragile ceasefire and avert further escalation in West Asia.

The US and Iran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire early Wednesday, followed by a face-to-face meeting in Islamabad to settle the differences and convert the ongoing truce into a lasting peace.