French President Emmanuel Macron visits the construction site of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, which was damaged in a devastating fire, with his wife Brigitte Macron, Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla in Paris, on the second day of their State visit to France, September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
French President Emmanuel Macron discussed “the situation in the Middle East” with foreign ministers from major Arab and majority-Muslim countries at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Participating nations included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey, along with Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Macron, who has expressed concern over civilian casualties in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, emphasized the need for a truce extension and increased aid to Gaza.
France, with a direct interest due to missing citizens, is working to secure the release of hostages.
Arab foreign ministers also welcomed the temporary Israel-Hamas truce, urging its extension and viewing it as a step toward a full cessation of hostilities and resumption of talks for a two-state solution.
The ceasefire involves releasing hostages and delivering humanitarian aid.