Israel rejects French role in Lebanon talks

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has reiterated that Israel does not want France involved in the ongoing Israel-Lebanon negotiations, aiming to keep them "as far away as possible." The comments were made following a tripartite meeting in Washington, D.C., involving Leiter, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Lebanese ambassador. The statement underscores Israel's preference for a U.S.-hosted diplomatic track and its continued resistance to a French mediation role in the conflict.