French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to arrive in Beirut on Friday, according the Lebanese Presidency.
He is the first head of state to visit Lebanon since the crisis-hit country elected a president last week, and intends to convey different messages to his counterpart.
According to a statement issued by the Élysée Palace, through this visit, President Macron wishes to “underline France's unfailing commitment to supporting Lebanon, its sovereignty and its unity.” “He will congratulate the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, on his recent election, and the designated PM, Nawaf Salam,” the statement added.
“At this historic moment for Lebanon, President Macron will reiterate his wishes for them to succeed in forming, as soon as possible, a strong government, capable of uniting Lebanon, implementing essential reforms for the country's recovery and restoring its security and sovereignty across its territory,” stressed the Élysée Palace.
“Today, we must address the aspirations of the Lebanese people, alongside whom France has always stood,” the statement continued, noting that the visit will also be “an opportunity to work towards full implementation of the ceasefire announced on November 26 by President Macron and President Joe Biden, and to reiterate France's commitment to this truce, within the UNIFIL and the international committee.”
“This visit will also focus on the challenges facing Lebanon as it strengthens its armed and internal security forces, which will help reinforce its sovereignty,” highlighted the French Presidency. It added that “humanitarian and reconstruction efforts required for the country's recovery will be discussed as well.”
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's Special Envoy to Lebanon, will also take part in the trip.
Mr. Le Drian had played a key role, since June 2023, in facilitating dialogue between the various Lebanese political players in order to break the presidential deadlock.
President Aoun met with French Ambassador Hervé Magro on Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential Palace to discuss preparations for Macron’s upcoming visit to Lebanon. The meeting also addressed various topics of mutual interest to the two nations.
Ambassador Magro conveyed his congratulations to President Aoun and highlighted that President Macron’s visit symbolizes the strong ties between Lebanon and France, as well as the French President's deep interest in Lebanon’s current situation.
Discussions also focused on the situation in southern Lebanon, particularly ongoing Israeli violations and the activities of the ceasefire monitoring committee.
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