Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the talks to end the war on Iran.
In a post on the X platform, Macron said they tackled the situation in the Middle East. He renewed his support for the ceasefire, “which should be respected in full and be expanded to include Lebanon without delay.”
“We also discussed the need to restore free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Macron added.
“With the negotiations kicking off in Islamabad, we agreed to remain in close contact to help in de-escalation and freedom of navigation and to reach an agreement that ensures permanent peace and security in the region,” stressed Macron.
Macron also spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging ″respect for the ceasefire and its application to Lebanon.”
The French leader did not mention the negotiations in Pakistan, but said he and Erdogan ″underlined the need for a robust and lasting diplomatic solution.”
Macron has been speaking regularly with other world leaders about the war and helping lead efforts for a mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting calms.
He has been particularly active in pushing for peace in Lebanon, a former French protectorate with close ties to France.
Macron said on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, and had highlighted to him the importance of de-escalating the current situation through the ceasefire talks in Pakistan.
"I stressed the need for Iran to restore freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which France stands ready to contribute. I insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," he said in a post on X.
“France gives its full support to the Lebanese authorities, who are the only ones who can decide on Lebanon’s destiny.”
