France is on a "strictly defensive mission" to help strait traffic resume, Emmanuel Macron says. -AP
More than a dozen countries are planning to facilitate the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron says, after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced.
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"About 15 countries are currently mobilised and are participating in the planning, under France's leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in co-ordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of traffic," Macron said on Wednesday, speaking at the start of his meeting on defence with advisers and members of his cabinet.
A fifth of the world's oil supply usually flows through the strait, which has been effectively closed since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.
Macron said he welcomed the ceasefire, but added the situation in Lebanon remained critical and called for Lebanon to be included in the deal.
Lebanon became a front in the war after Iran-linked Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with Tehran.
More than 1500 people have since been killed in Israel's air and ground campaign across Lebanon, and many more have been displaced.
France maintains close ties with Lebanon, a former protectorate.
"Our wish in this context is to be assured that the ceasefire fully includes Lebanon," Macron said.
