Lebanon – Extension of the ceasefire (27 January 2025)

France is working with its partners to implement the ceasefire in Lebanon. The deadline for the total Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon was extended until February 18. France urges the parties to fulfill their commitments as swiftly as possible so that Lebanon can regain sovereignty over all of its territory.

We express our deep concern over the events that took place on January 26, in which 22 Lebanese citizens were killed in Israeli operations on Lebanese territory. We urgently ask the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw south of the Blue Line and to hand over responsibility for the control of the northern zone to the Lebanese Armed Forces, with assistance from UNIFIL and the ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

Significant progress has been made over the past two months thanks to the LAF's continuous enforcement of the ceasefire. It has reoccupied the positions evacuated by the IDF in much of the southern zone and resolutely continued its redeployment while maintaining a high level of security.

France applauds U.S. and UNIFIL efforts within the ceasefire monitoring mechanism to maintain a continuous dialogue among the stakeholders. We also ask the LAF to step up its cooperation with UNIFIL in order to strengthen its control over the areas located between the Litani River and the Blue Line.

Lastly, France calls for starting negotiations on the land border as soon as possible in order to bolster the stability of the border area.