French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel on Friday to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a deadline nears for the pullout under the terms of a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah last year.

Paris and London have called out billionarie Elon Musk for alleged interference in European political debate and spreading of misinformation, with France urging a robust EU response to protect

Echoing Macron's Monday accusation that tech billionaire Elon Musk was interfering in elections, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on the European Commission to be firm in applying laws against such moves.

European leaders have welcomed the news of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas following 15 months of fighting in Gaza. The deal also entails the phased release of Israeli and foreign hostages.

France on Wednesday urged the European Commission to protect its member states with "the greatest firmness" against interference in political debate particularly from the billionaire owner of social media platform X,

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is expected to lay out in a speech on Tuesday the contours of a deal to water down pension reforms in return for support from the left on passing a budget.

French President Emmanuel Macron cautiously reaffirmed his country’s good relations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, declaring that France is “a solid ally” as he outlined his vision for global diplomacy in 2025.

Some European governments are pressing the European Commission to use legal arsenal against Musk’s perceived interference.

WASHINGTON − Elon Musk is keeping the pressure on European leaders. Musk frequently wields his 211.5-million-follower account on X, the social media platform he bought for $44 billion in 2022, to air political grievances and promote far-right issues.

Both parties must fully implement this agreement, as stepping stone toward lasting stability in region and a diplomatic resolution of conflict,' says EU Commission head - Anadolu Ajansı