On Friday evening, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss Lebanon’s internal reforms and consolidation of state control.
Salam reiterated that the Lebanese state is committed to its goal of confiscating all non-state weapons on Lebanese territory. Macron stated that France will continue to back the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole bearer of arms.
With the UNIFIL mandate not being renewed, Salam urged Macron that an alternative is needed to continue third-party monitoring of Lebanon’s southern border. Both praised the mechanism monitoring the ceasefire and support strengthening it.
As a major backer on the world stage and permanent member of the UN security council, France is an important partner in the Lebanese state’s efforts to claim its sovereignty.
In the meeting, Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Lebanon’s efforts to restore full state sovereignty and stay on course for implementing the necessary reforms to recover from the country’s prolonged crises.
The two leaders also discussed Israel’s role in Lebanon’s current situation. Salam emphasized that it is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty that Israel stop its violations of the ceasefire between the two countries and that it withdraw from the points along the border that it still occupies.
Much of the dialogue centered on Lebanese security issues in preparation for a March 5 French-Saudi-led conference in Paris that aims to generate financial support for the Lebanese army and security forces.
Macron and Salam alsoo spoke about the multi-point draft financial gap law intended to address Lebanon’s banking and financial crisis.
More talks between Lebanon and its international partners will be underway as all parties prepare for their upcoming conference in March, particularly as Lebanon continues negotiation of an agreement with the IMF in support of its recovery.
Comments