Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss 'ideas to stabilise Lebanon' with France's Macron

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet the French president, Emmanuel Macron in early December to discuss Israel’s security and the latest developments in Lebanon.

Netanyahu said on Monday in a meeting with his Likud party that he had spoken at length with the French president about Iran and Hizballah, and the threat they face to Israel.

Earlier this month, Lebanon found itself in crisis following the shock resignation of its prime minister Saad al-Hariri in Riyadh. Hariri cited threats to his life and the growing dominance of Hizballah – backed by Iran – as the reason for his resignation, amid reports suggesting he had been detained and forced to resign by Riyadh.

Also discussed was the nuclear deal with Iran and its "attempts to set up bases in Syria and activities in the region."

Netanyahu added that he and Macron agreed to meet to "see if we can adopt similar approaches concerning this threat and the nuclear agreement with Iran."

The French President has also been in conversation with his counterparts in the United States and Egypt, as well as in talks with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres to discuss developments in the Middle East.

Netanyahu described Hariri’s resignation and his comments on Hizballah as alarm bells of Iran’s ambition to the world.

Hariri’s surprise resignation sparked fears that Lebanon was being caught up in rising tensions between regional arch rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The prime minister’s failure to return from Saudi Arabia only added to the concerns, prompting claims he was being held hostage.

Lebanese president Aoun has refused to accept Hariri's resignation from abroad, insisting he return home to confirm it or withdraw it.