France’s president began a visit to Lebanon Friday, where he will meet the crisis-hit country’s newly elected leaders, as the nation attempts to recover from the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war

The French president made the announcement as he visited Beirut in a show of support for Lebanon's new leaders.

Lebanon has just elected a president and appointed a prime minister, after months of deadlock. The French president didn't hesitate to visit, sensing an opportunity to take stock of the ceasefire signed at the end of November between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel’s security cabinet has now approved the ceasefire deal with Hamas which will be brought to a vote in the government. The full 33-member cabinet is widely expected to give its approval which means the ceasefire can go into effect on Sunday as planned.

Visiting Macron said Israeli violations are being closely monitored, says Premier Najib Mikati - Anadolu Ajansı

France President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon on Friday for the first time since 2020 to help speed up the formation of a government that can quickly implement reforms and open the door to reconstruction.

Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Lebanon, his first in more than four years, follows a 60-day ceasefire deal that aims to end the Israel-Hezbollah war. #EuropeNews

Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have given "their full support" to the formation of a "strong government" in Lebanon, the French presidency said on Thursday after a call between the two leaders.

Israel’s government voted in favour of the truce after the country’s security cabinet, chaired by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, agreed to the ceasefire and hostage deal earlier on Friday. The vote is believed to have been 24 in favour and eight against early on Saturday morning local time.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel on Friday to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a deadline nears for the pullout under the terms of a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah last year.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for a visit that will see him meet his counterpart and offer support as Lebanon’s leaders