Johannesburg( WNAM MONITORING ): French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that France seeks to preserve peace in the Gaza Strip and expects all parties to fully comply with commitments.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, Macron stressed that global conflicts must be addressed with full respect for the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of states.
Macron also drew attention to what he said were instances of double standards in the international approach to conflicts, stressing that France applies a single, consistent principle, protecting territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and human dignity across all regions, from Sudan to Palestine and Israel, and through to Ukraine.
He noted that conditions in Gaza remain highly challenging, saying France wants to preserve peace, ensure all sides meet their commitments, and move toward a new governance and security framework that could eventually include an international presence.
Macron said France and Saudi Arabia serve as guarantors of the New York Declaration’s timeline, noting that Paris is engaging directly with Israel on a phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon and on advancing, with US support, a mechanism to help the Beirut government regain authority in the area.
Volunteer Coalition countries to meet Nov. 25
Commenting on the US peace plan for Ukraine, Macron said it is positive for recognizing key elements of sovereignty and security, but stressed that any settlement must also address Europe’s security concerns.
He noted that the plan, though not negotiated with Europeans, touches on issues under their authority, including frozen Russian assets, Ukraine’s EU path, and NATO decisions.
Macron said American, Ukrainian, and European negotiators will meet in Geneva on Sunday, with the Volunteer Coalition set to convene online on Nov. 25.
He warned that limits on the Ukrainian military could undermine the country’s sovereignty, stressing that without credible deterrence, Russia could return and break its commitments.
He underlined that a ceasefire is needed first, saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supports it, but Russia is refusing.
Addressing the controversy surrounding French Chief of Defense Staff Fabien Mandon, Macron said the general’s remarks that France must be “prepared to lose children” were taken out of context and used to spread fear.
France’s top general sparked political backlash Thursday after saying the country must be prepared to sacrifice its children in the face of the Russian threat. Macron expressed full support for Mandon.
Macron also seeks calmer relations with Algeria, noting that significant improvements are needed in areas such as security, migration, and economic cooperation.
