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German Foreign Minister Announces Initiative with France for Peace in Lebanon

Announcement to be made at meeting on July 17

Germany

Riyadh: Al Arabiya.net and Agencies

Published: July 11, 2026: 12:43 PM GST Last updated: July 11, 2026: 01:12 PM GST

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Berlin and Paris intend to launch a joint initiative aimed at achieving peace in Lebanon.

Wadephul told the newspaper Der Tagesspiegel: "Germany and France want to formulate a common policy towards Lebanon in order to increase the chances of achieving peace in the Middle East."

The foreign minister did not provide any additional details.

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The initiative is expected to be announced at the meeting of the German-French Ministerial Council, which will take place on July 17.

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington on June 26, which specifically stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army to deploy there starting from two 'pilot' areas.

Lebanon is demanding that Israel withdraw from two pilot areas in the south of the country as a condition for accepting to participate in the next round of negotiations scheduled for next week in Rome, according to a diplomatic source close to the negotiations who spoke to AFP on Wednesday.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Rome on the 15th and 16th of this month, at the request of Washington, which hosted the first five rounds. Lebanon has not yet officially confirmed its participation.

The agreement does not specify a timeline for the withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while Israel, through its officials, reiterates that its forces will not withdraw from a 'security zone' ten kilometers deep from its border until Hezbollah is disarmed—a step analysts doubt the Lebanese state's ability to achieve.

Hezbollah refuses to hand over its weapons and engage in direct negotiations with Israel and its outcomes, relying on its supporter Iran to stop the war with the Jewish state.

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