World
Yair Lapid heads to France for first visit as Israeli PM
Iran and Hezbollah are believed to be top of the former foreign minister's agenda
July 5, 2022 11:38
Iran and Hezbollah are believed to be top of the former foreign minister's agenda
July 5, 2022 11:38New Israeli PM Yair Lapid has made his first international visit as Israel's head of government to France for talks with French President Emanuel Macron.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac before he departed for France, Lapid said: “It is important that our opinion is heard at this time against this dangerous deal, against the organization and nuclearization of Iran.”
Talks between the US and Iran resumed last month in Qatar, but ended last week with no clear resolutions.
According to Israeli media, Lapid will also take the opportunity to discuss Iran and Hezbollah's operations in Lebanon with Mr Macron, urging the French leader to use his connections in Lebanon to bring them to the negotiating table.
An Israeli official also added: “The prime minister will present new materials that will explain how Hezbollah endangers Lebanon’s security and stability.”
Indirect talks are set to begin between Lebanon and Israel to determine the location of the maritime border in the Mediterranean sea.
Tensions have risen in the med in recent weeks as Israel and Hezbollah both seek to exploit the Karish gas field with Lebanon claiming it as part of their economic territory.
Israel announced last week that they intercepted three Hezbollah drones headed to the gas field off the Israeli coast.
Lapid and Macron have been close before either of them held their current positions. In 2017 Lapid, then just an MK, took the unusual step of endorsing Macron in his first presidential election.