France dismisses Israeli request to withdraw UN troops from Lebanon France has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to withdraw from its positions. In a statement issued on October 14, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “the protection of peacekeeping forces is a responsibility for all parties involved.” Netanyahu called for UNIFIL to evacuate the border area on October 13, amid ongoing resistance from Hezbollah fighters against Israel’s military operations aimed at occupying Lebanese territory and establishing a “security zone.” He addressed...