PARIS — Addressing journalists this evening in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid thanked his US and French counterparts Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron for their "support, backing and assistance" in reaching the maritime agreement with Lebanon. It was the first time Lapid acknowledged publicly the role played by the French leader in concluding the deal. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said at the same press conference that Biden and also "other leaders" had contributed to reaching the agreement.  

Just prior to Lapid's remarks, a source at the Elysée Palace spoke to Al-Monitor about France and French President Emmanuel Macron's role in the recently announced agreement.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, France has been involved for several months now in the American-mediated talks, especially in the last 10 days when negotiations accelerated. Macron, said the source, discussed the issue with Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid on several occasions, including in person, at their July Paris meeting and also over the phone.

The source explained that senior French diplomats have been in constant contact with their Israeli and Lebanese counterparts, with the American mediator Amos Hochstein, with the political branch of Hezbollah, and also with Lebanese leaders not necessarily directly involved in the talks but with influence in the relevant areas. France was involved in exchanging messages between the parties on their red lines and also concerning the final wordings of the agreement proposal.