BEIRUT: French President Emmanuel Macron declared his 鈥渟olidarity with the people of Beirut following Israel鈥檚 targeting of the southern suburb of Beirut on Friday.

Macron on Friday criticized Israel for what he called 鈥渦nacceptable strikes on Beirut鈥� that he said did not respect the ceasefire and played into Hezbollah鈥檚 hands.

He said that the strikes on Beirut 鈥渁re unacceptable.鈥�

Macron made the comments at a joint press conference in Paris with President Joseph Aoun.

Developments on the ground in Lebanon overshadowed Aoun鈥檚 talks in Paris on Friday.

Aoun began his meeting at the Elysee Palace with Macron and held a direct call with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa.

They were later joined by the Cypriot President and the Greek Prime Minister in five-party discussions.

The talks in Paris aim to raise the issue of Syrian refugees and explore ways to address it, a source in the Lebanese presidency told Arab News.

At the joint press conference following the meeting, Aoun said: 鈥淭he Israeli attacks on the southern suburb of Beirut and the threats are a continuation of Israel鈥檚 violation of the ceasefire agreement sponsored by France and the US.

鈥淭he international community must put an end to these aggressions and force Israel to adhere to the agreement, as Lebanon is committed to it.鈥�

At Friday鈥檚 press conference, Aoun called for 鈥渇orcing the concerned states to compel Israel to cease its hostilities on Lebanon.鈥�

Macron emphasized that France was standing with Lebanon because it recognized its immense challenges.

He indicated that 鈥渢he tension on both sides of the Blue Line is a turning point, and France remains by Lebanon鈥檚 side to preserve its sovereignty, ensure full security, and implement the ceasefire reached with Israel.鈥�

He stressed that 鈥渢he Israeli army must withdraw from the five points in southern Lebanon,鈥� noting that 鈥渢he strikes on Beirut are unacceptable.鈥�

He said: 鈥淲e will present practical and realistic proposals, considering the expectations of Lebanon and Israel.

鈥淲e have proposed that UNIFIL troops be deployed in sensitive areas in the south, in coordination with the army and under the supervision of the monitoring committee.鈥�

Macron said: 鈥淎id to Lebanon is linked to restoring the functionality of its institutions, as this is the key to obtaining aid from the international community.鈥�

He added: 鈥淲e believe in the importance of the reform agenda set by the Lebanese president, and we will meet with Lebanon鈥檚 friends to support the framework initiated by the Lebanese executive authorities to implement a first set of aid.鈥�

He said that Lebanon 鈥渘eeds an efficient energy sector to avoid remaining vulnerable to economic instability and to attract investments. France is ready to offer its expertise and companies to assist in this field.鈥�

Aoun told Le Figaro that Lebanon 鈥渃annot tolerate being part of any axis.鈥�

When asked if Lebanon was out of the so-called 鈥淚ranian-Shiite axis,鈥� Aoun replied: 鈥淟ebanon, due to its geographical location, cannot tolerate being part of any axis.

鈥淭he importance of Lebanon lies in its diversity, and in the solidarity and internal unity of its people. It is this unity that will protect it from all dangers.

鈥淚n my oath of office, I spoke about Lebanon鈥檚 neutrality. However, neutrality does not mean we do not stand in solidarity with Arab states.鈥�

Asked about the disarmament of Hezbollah, President Aoun said that 鈥渢he Lebanese army has already dismantled several Hezbollah-aligned or pro-Iranian Palestinian camps, including one near Beirut, two in the north near Tripoli, and three others in the Bekaa Valley.鈥�

鈥淢ore than 250 weapons seizures have taken place in areas south of the Litani River, with many of the confiscated arms either destroyed or, if in a good state, transferred to the Lebanese Army. The army, which must be strengthened to 77,000 personnel, is carrying out its duty,鈥� Aoun added.

He also said: 鈥淭he Council of Ministers has approved the recruitment of 4,500 additional soldiers to bolster security in the south.

鈥淗owever, the entire country needs defense and protection, not just the south.

鈥淭he issue of Palestinian weapons remains unresolved, and we must address it in coordination with the Palestinian Authority. We want our army to have control over all Lebanese territory.

鈥淭he state alone must hold the monopoly on arms and the legitimate use of force. This demand is as national as it is international.鈥�

Aoun emphasized Lebanon鈥檚 full commitment to UN Resolution 1701 and criticized Israel鈥檚 ongoing violations of the agreement.

鈥淲e learned our lesson from our past experiences with Israel. Therefore, we continue to work diplomatically with France, the US, and the international community to ensure Israel鈥檚 full withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese hostages, and the final demarcation of land borders.鈥�

Aoun also announced that Lebanon 鈥渨ill begin addressing the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian land and sea borders, as well as the issue of Syrian refugees.鈥�

Also on Friday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Defense Minister Michel Menassa.

According to Salam鈥檚 media office, Menassa visited Jeddah on Wednesday night with a security delegation and met his Syrian counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qasra.

The two sides signed an agreement on the importance of border demarcation, forming joint legal committees in various fields and activating coordination mechanisms.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the meeting took place under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman attended the meeting.