French national flags in front of the National Assembly facade in Paris. File | Photo: AFP
France said on Wednesday (2 October 2024) it was sending additional military resources to the Middle East to deal with the Iranian threat and called a meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for later in the day. Tehran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Iran said early Wednesday (October 2, 2024) that the missile attack on Israel was completed by preventing further provocation while Israel and The US has vowed to retaliate against Tehran’s attack as fears of a wider war grew.
“Dedicated to the security of Israel, France is today mobilizing its military resources in the Middle East to counter the Iranian threat,” the French presidency said in a statement last night after an emergency security cabinet meeting to discuss the regional escalation.
“The head of state also reiterated France’s demand that Hezbollah cease its terrorist activities against Israel and its population.
It did not elaborate on what additional military assets had been sent to the region, and the Ministry of Defense was not available for comment. “Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barro spoke with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken to coordinate diplomatic efforts,” the ministry said.
Paris and Washington last week tried to secure a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon just hours before Israel launched airstrikes that killed Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it has convened a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday (October 2, 2024) afternoon. The French presidency said it would also soon organize a conference in support of Lebanon and asked the foreign minister to travel to the region to work on diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
“With attention to the security and protection of our compatriots in Lebanon and the Middle East, the head of state requested that all necessary measures be taken for their assistance and, if necessary, to come to their aid,” added the presidency. France on Monday (30 September 2024) deployed a helicopter carrier to the region to position itself in case an evacuation order is given.
Published – October 02, 2024, 1:33 PM IST
