Macron speaks to Lebanese leaders, urges restraint; plans to call Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed “deepest concern” that unprecedented bombings in Lebanon, which detonated hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, will contribute to “a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region,” according to a statement from the French presidency.

Macron’s comments come after the French leader, who aims to keep France as an important diplomatic player in Lebanon, spoke on the phone with the country’s top political and military officials.

The French president urged them to “act responsibly in order to avoid an escalation.” He also asked them to “send messages of restraint to all Lebanese parties, starting with Hezbollah,” the statement adds.

Macron will speak about the dangers of an escalation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the statement also says, adding that, “All parties must act to avoid war.”