Lebanon PM and Emmanuel Macron to discuss bolstering country's position in Israel talks

Key Points:

• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and French President Emmanuel Macron plan to discuss strengthening Lebanon's position ahead of possible direct negotiations with Israel in the US later this week.
• The US will host ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, with unclear goals regarding extending a ceasefire or enabling deeper negotiations amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.
• France, a historic ally of Lebanon, aims to support Beirut practically but is being sidelined by the US and Israel, who question France's influence due to its stance on Gaza, contacts with Hezbollah's political wing, and accusations against Israel.
• Israel has called for France's exclusion from talks, citing a lack of positive influence, while Lebanese and European diplomats worry Lebanon's government may be too weak to handle negotiations without French support.
• France maintains a strong presence in Lebanon, including 700 UN peacekeepers, and stresses the need for continued international involvement to implement any peace deal, despite recent challenges including the killing of a French soldier in southern Lebanon allegedly by Hezbollah.