France’s President Emmanuel Macron is facing renewed criticism for his lack of support for President Donald Trump’s war against Iran and demands to include Lebanon in the current ceasefire as historic talks between Israel and Lebanon are set to begin Tuesday.

The historic meeting brokered by President Trump between Lebanon, a former French mandate, and Israel will take place at the ambassador level as hopes for an agreement evolve ­— most noticeably without French involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to host both nations' ambassadors.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel’s government requested that France be excluded from the talks. An Israeli official told the paper that "France’s conduct over the past year – including initiatives aimed at limiting Israel’s ability to fight in Iran, and a complete lack of willingness to take concrete steps to help Lebanon disarm Hezbollah – has led Israel to view France as an unfair mediator."

IRAN'S TERROR PROXIES FROM IRAQ-TO-LEBANON SAY READY TO RESPOND TO US-ISRAEL ATTACKS

On Monday, Hezbollah chief Naim ​Qassem on Monday ‌called on the Lebanese government to ​cancel the ​Tuesday meeting in Washington, while ⁠describing the talks as pointless. In ​a televised ​speech, Qassem said the ‌armed ⁠group will continue to confront Israeli attacks on ​Lebanon.

Hezbollah violated a ceasefire to enter the war on its patron, Iran’s side, in March when it launched rockets into Israel after the U.S.-Israel joint attack on the Islamic Republic began, still Macron has demanded Israel stop attacking Hezbollah's terror infrastructure in Lebanon.

Israeli Brig. General (Res.) Yosef Kuperwasser told Fox News Digital that Macron was "working against the best interests of the Lebanese state and government. This is a very problematic direction." He accused Macron of "taking the side of Hezbollah and normalizing Hezbollah because he is focused on "narrow interests."

IRAN THREATENS TO END CEASEFIRE OVER HEZBOLLAH'S EXCLUSION FROM TRUCE DEAL

The former head of research for the Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate, Kuperwasser, added that the "Americans want us to engage with the Lebanese along with the military [in Lebanon]. Our expectations are very similar. We want to see Lebanon do something about Hezbollah, something real, not just issue statements and pledges. We believe we have helped them by weakening Hezbollah militarily since they decided to launch missiles on March 2. If there is a breakthrough, Lebanon has a lot to gain," but said it has to "disarm Hezbollah."

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

Macron has faced accusations over the years that he has normalized Hezbollah. His government, in contrast to Germany, the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Austria and many other Western and non-Westen countries, refuses to designate Hezbollah’s entire organization a terrorist entity. France has classified Hezbollah’s "military wing" a terrorist organization but declined to ban its "political wing." Hezbollah considers itself a unified movement without branches.

The French politician François-Xavier Bellamy, who is a member of the European Parliament for the Republicans Party, said last week on French television that "France must stop normalizing Hezbollah." Macron sparked outrage in 2020 when he reportedly held a private conversation with a top elected Hezbollah official, according to the Paris-based daily Le Figaro.

Edy Cohen, an Israeli security expert on Hezbollah, who was born in Lebanon, told Fox News Digital, "France is forced not to come out against Hezbollah in order to legitimize its involvement in Lebanon."

A French diplomat told the Times of Israel that "what we are hoping for is not a ticket to the meeting, but that Israel stops its offensive on Lebanon."

When asked if France would pressure Lebanon to recognize Israel as a state, Pascal Confavreux, a spokesman for France’s Foreign Ministry, told "Fox News Sunday" that, "Iran has to stop terrorizing Israel through Hezbollah because Hezbollah chose to bring Lebanon into a war which is not Lebanon’s war… Lebanon has to be included in the ceasefire, something that we are pushing diplomatically," He continued that we are in favor of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

It is not known if France asked for a seat at the talks. Fox News Digital sent multiple press queries to France’s embassies in Washington D.C. and Tel Aviv.

IDF UNCOVERS HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS STASH INSIDE HOSPITAL IN LEBANON

On Saturday, Macron again pushed his desire for a ceasefire and wrote on X that he had discussions with Iran’s President Massoud Pezeshkian on Saturday: "I stressed the importance of full respect for the ceasefire, including in Lebanon. France extends its full support to the actions of the Lebanese authorities, who alone are legitimate to exercise the sovereignty of the State and decide the destiny of Lebanon."

Walid Phares, an expert on Lebanon and the region, told Fox News Digital that while the talks are important, problems exist. "It is at ambassadors’ level, which means it is not destined to reach a top level of decision-making."

He added, "Strangely, the Lebanese president and prime minister declined to invite the Lebanese foreign minister to the Washington talks, provoking a representation by Israel, also at ambassadorial level, showing that Hezbollah still has a strong influence on the Lebanese government. The militia is being rejected by the population on the ground and fears a meeting in D.C. would ostracize Hezbollah further."

Sethrida Geagea, a member of parliament from the Lebanese Forces party, posted on X ahead of the Israel-Lebanon talks an open letter to Nabih Berri, the powerful speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and leader of the Shiite Amal Movement. She issued indirect criticism of Hezbollah and its terrorist army within the state. Geagea appealed to Berri to unify the Lebanese to be "protected by a single army."

Without naming Hezbollah, her letter stated that young Shiites have been plunged into war that has nothing to do with them and the conflict is really about an Iranian decision to retaliate for the joint U.S.-Israel war that assassinated the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on February 28.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital press query.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Educational activities allowed in bomb shelters only along Lebanese border; cap of 5,000 at gatherings reintroduced in Jerusalem area and south

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CENTCOM tells seafarers it's still working out how blockade 'will be applied in practice,' warns ships trying to leave or enter Iranian ports without permission are subject to capture

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US president says Iran can't 'extort the world,' Iranian ships that try to cross will be 'ELIMINATED'; ships will be allowed to traverse strait if not engaging with Iranian ports

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Dana White has made a late addition to the big White House "Freedom 250" UFC fight card after one quick question by the president.

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French president says effort will be 'strictly defensive' and separate from any American operation, as British PM says UK will not join Trump's naval blockade of key waterway

The post Starmer, Macron say UK and France to discuss ‘multinational mission’ to safeguard Hormuz appeared first on The Times of Israel.

President Donald Trump said Iran is “in very bad shape” and vowed it “will not have a nuclear weapon” as he signaled indifference to renewed negotiations, saying he “doesn’t care” if Tehran returns to talks, while confirming a U.S. blockade of Iranian oil flows set to take effect Monday morning.

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CENTCOM says it will begin blocking all ships entering and exiting Iran's ports, will not block Hormuz for ships using non-Iranian ports, in step down from Trump's earlier threat

The post With US military set to blockade Iranian ports, Tehran says move ‘amounts to piracy’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Pakistan ist pleite. Das Land steht wirtschaftlich mit dem Rücken zur Wand. Doch anstatt die massive heimische Krise zu lösen, verhökert Islamabad das Einzige, was noch funktionstüchtig ist: das eigene Militär. Für ein paar Milliarden Dollar mutiert Pakistan zur kaufbaren, nuklear bewaffneten moslemischen Söldnernation für die saudischen Öl-Scheichs.

An diesem Wochenende landete auf der saudischen König-Abdulaziz-Luftwaffenbasis ein massives Kontingent der pakistanischen Streitkräfte – inklusive Kampfjets und schwerem militärischen Gerät. Rund 13.000 pakistanische Soldaten sollen dabei helfen, die Golfmonarchie zu verteidigen. Offiziell schwadroniert das saudische Verteidigungsministerium von einem „strategischen Verteidigungspakt“, der die „Sicherheit und Stabilität“ in der Region fördern soll. Doch in Wirklichkeit ist dies eigentlich nichts weiter als ein Söldner-Geschäft auf Staatsebene.

Riad erkauft sich dadurch die dringend benötigte militärische Schlagkraft, und Islamabad bekommt das, was es zum nackten Überleben braucht: frisches Geld. Saudische und katarische Geldgeber pumpen jetzt 5 Milliarden Dollar in die chronisch leere pakistanische Staatskasse. Der Deal wurde am Freitagabend nach einem Krisentreffen zwischen dem saudischen Finanzminister Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Jadaan und Pakistans Premierminister Shehbaz Sharif festgezurrt.

Pakistans Wirtschaft ist ein absoluter Sanierungsfall. Die Währungsreserven des riesigen Landes sind auf kümmerliche 16,4 Milliarden Dollar zusammengeschmolzen. Die Rechnungen stapeln sich, das Wasser steht der Regierung bis zum Hals. Die Kosten für Energieimporte explodieren – ein weiterer Kollateralschaden der jüngsten Eskalationen und der US-amerikanischen und der israelischen Angriffe auf den Iran. Gleichzeitig klopfen wütende Gläubiger an die Tür: Allein die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate fordern bis Ende des Monats die Rückzahlung von satten 3,5 Milliarden Dollar. Pakistan hat dieses Geld nicht. Was macht man also, wenn man vor dem Staatsbankrott steht? Man vermietet quasi seine Armee.

Es ist nicht das erste Mal, dass die Saudis von Islamabad militärische Hilfe erhielten. Schon im Golfkrieg 1991 schickte Pakistan Truppen, um das saudische Königreich zu verteidigen. Doch der neue Pakt hat eine völlig neue, furchteinflößende Dimension. Das Abkommen verpflichtet beide Staaten, einen Angriff auf den einen als Angriff auf den anderen zu werten. Man könnte auch sagen, Saudi-Arabien hat sich damit faktisch den Schutz einer Atommacht gekauft. Die Golfmonarchie profitiert also vom nuklearen Schutzschirm der kaufbaren, nuklear bewaffneten moslemischen Söldnernation.

Die Verlegung von Kriegsgerät und Truppen nach Saudi-Arabien hat damit auch Signalwirkung. Andere islamische Länder mit ausreichend Kaufkraft, aber schwachen eigenen militärischen Fähigkeiten könnten sich den Schutz durch die moslemischen Brüder in Islamabad ebenfalls erkaufen wollen. Doch damit steht die Welt näher an einem Atomwaffeneinsatz als jemals zuvor.

Local government leaders recommend holding smaller ceremonies in lieu of large-scale events; Or Yehuda mayor says celebrating ‘as if nothing is happening' is detached from reality

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Vance says Iranians refused to disavow nuclear program that would let them build bomb; he makes no mention of Strait of Hormuz, cited in Iran as other key point of disagreement; Iran's Ghalibaf: US side failed to gain our trust

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The United States Navy has begun operations in preparation of clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said on Saturday.

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Iran doubles down on its 'red lines,' while VP Vance warns US negotiators won't be receptive to Iranian games; Trump claims US starting the process of clearing out Hormuz

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As his VP Vance heads to Islamabad negotiations, Trump claims 'the Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards,' insists Strait of Hormuz to soon reopen 'with or without them'

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Given ceasefire with Iran, court says 'in absence of a concrete warning,' protests can take place, add police don't need to disperse gatherings even if crowds exceed limits

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Iran-backed Shiite militants in Iraq released captive American journalist Shelly Kittleson, and Iran released two French nationals.

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Kurz vor den Gesprächen zwischen den USA und dem Iran entgleist Pakistans Verteidigungsminister mit israelfeindlichen Tiraden. Zugleich wächst der Druck auf Israel im Libanon-Konflikt.

Dieser Beitrag Krieg im Nahen Osten „Israel ist ein Fluch für die Menschheit“, sagt der neutrale Vermittler Pakistan wurde veröffentlich auf JUNGE FREIHEIT.

U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Thursday the United States has achieved its core military objectives under Operation Epic Fury, declaring Iran “has suffered a generational military defeat” after its more than four-decade military buildup was systematically destroyed in under 40 days.

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Trump reportedly asks Netanyahu to scale back attacks to prevent collapse of truce; Hormuz still blockaded, data shows, as Iran nuclear chief rules out restrictions ahead of talks

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US president vows forces will remain in the region in leadup to peace talks in Pakistan, as uncertainty about Lebanon and Strait of Hormuz threatens fragile ceasefire

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VP: Tehran thought Lebanon was part of truce due to ‘legitimate misunderstanding,’ Israel agreed to 'check itself a little bit' against Hezbollah; Iran's Ghalibaf claims US violated understandings, questions if negotiations worthwhile

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Comedian and content creator of unforgettable Israeli and American cast of characters discusses life in wartime

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Closures remain in place in northern Israel due to threat of Hezbollah rockets, and IDF warns rocket fire could still target center of country or even further south

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Alfonso Pantisano, Queerbeauftragter von Berlin gewinnt einen Journalistenpreis der Diakonie, dotiert mit 2.500 Euro. Dass er in der Vergangenheit kritische Medienmacher öffentlich beschimpfte, schien die Jury nicht zu stören.

Dieser Beitrag Beitrag über Gastarbeiter Berlins Queerbeauftragter erhält Journalistenpreis wurde veröffentlich auf JUNGE FREIHEIT.

Two-week truce and reopening of Hormuz are welcomed by both Iran's allies and Gulf states targeted by Tehran; France, Spain push for ceasefire to also include Israel's fight with Hezbollah

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ToI's movie maven and deputy editor buckle up and watch all 3 hours and 40 minutes of the Passover classic. Hear how it holds up today

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French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were released by Iran on Tuesday after "three and a half years of detention," President Emmanuel Macron announced. 

The pair, who were arrested in May 2022 while visiting Iran, were accused by Iranian state television of being spies who sought to stir up unrest, according to Reuters. France previously denounced their detention as unjustified and unfounded. 

"Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris are free and on their way to French territory, after three and a half years of detention in Iran. This is a relief for all of us and obviously for their families," Macron wrote on X. 

"Thank you to the Omani authorities for their mediation efforts, to the State services, and to the citizens who mobilized tirelessly and thus contributed to their return," he added.

SON OF BRITISH COUPLE DETAINED IN IRAN 'LET DOWN' BY STARMER'S LEADERSHIP ON PARENT'S IMPRISONMENT AMID WAR

The nonprofit United Against Nuclear Iran described Kohler as the head of a federation of teachers unions in France, with Paris being her partner. 

France’s foreign ministry said last May that Kohler and Paris were being detained as "state hostages by the Islamic Republic of Iran." 

AFGHANISTAN FREES US CITIZEN DENNIS COYLE OVER A YEAR AFTER TALIBAN ARREST

"They are being held in shameful conditions and have been able to receive only four consular visits, under very restrictive conditions," the ministry said at the time. 

Iranian authorities freed the pair from prison in November but didn't let them leave the country, according to The Associated Press.

French officials said they were then being kept safe at the French Embassy in Tehran, until their departure from Iran on Tuesday. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Vor 40 Jahren erschütterte ein Bombenschlag auf eine Disko West-Berlin. Die USA vermuteten Libyen dahinter und reagierten mit militärischer Härte. Die Aufarbeitung des Attentats förderte dabei eine ungeheure Schützenhilfe für das Gaddafi-Regime zutage.

Dieser Beitrag Bombenattentat auf Disko-Besucher Der „La Belle“-Anschlag und Libyens europäische Helfer wurde veröffentlich auf JUNGE FREIHEIT.