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Trump, Macron Agree on Need to Confront ‘Hezbollah,’ Iran

Trump, Macron Agree on Need to Confront ‘Hezbollah,’ Iran

Sunday, 19 November, 2017 - 10:30
US President Donald Trump with Emmanuel Macron at a summit in Sicily in May. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the need to confront Iran and Lebanon's “Hezbollah’s” destabilizing activities in the region, announced the White House.


It said in a statement that the two leaders held a telephone conversation on the situation in Lebanon and Syria.


They stressed the need to work with allies to confront “Hezbollah” and Iran, it added.


On Saturday, the French presidency said it is essential to protect Lebanon from "negative" foreign influences because the country needs a "strong state."


A high official in Macron's office said that France aims to see Lebanon "regain its stability."


The official did not name any specific foreign countries interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs, but said Lebanon should be protected from the "dangers that regional crises can pose to it."


The official said France supports Lebanon's policy of "disassociating" itself from regional crises.


The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with French presidential policy, was speaking after Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri met Macron at the French presidential palace.


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