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French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna insisted, following talks with Lebanese officials, on the need to “keep Lebanon out” of the raging war in Gaza.
“I’ve come to Beirut to reiterate our commitment to Lebanon and the country’s stability,” Colonna told a press conference at the French Ambassador’s residence, Residence des Pins, on Monday.
“Lebanon must do all it can to stay out of a spiral of violence should it occur, but above all to prevent it from happening.”
Colonna, who arrived in Lebanon as part of a Middle East tour, including visits to Israel and Egypt, stressed that “no group should think that it can try to take advantage of the situation,” in an obvious allusion to Hezbollah.
The French minister met earlier with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as well as Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.
According to a well-informed source, Colonna’s talks with Berri focused on the regional concerns linked to the crisis in Gaza, “stressing on the necessity to preserve Lebanon.”
Berri told Colonna that there is “no Lebanese will” to get embroiled in the conflict, but at the same time, “Lebanon is getting prepared for any eventuality,” the source told This is Beirut.
The source noted that “although Lebanon’s position was rather reassuring,” Colonna was told that “this does not mean that Lebanon won’t be involved in one way or another, depending on the evolution of the security situation in Gaza.”
The source said that Berri also echoed the belief that a hostage-prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel “could help achieve a cease-fire.” The idea was already evoked by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
During her meeting with the army commander, Colonna underlined the role of the Lebanese Army in ensuring security in the South of Lebanon.
“It was important to highlight France’s support to the army and that the latter is directly concerned in ensuring the security of the country, the Lebanese people as well as the foreigners,” the source said.
At the press conference, the Frech Foreign Minister stated that “the main reason for her Mideast trip is to avoid a conflagration in the region.”
Describing the regional situation as “concerning and plainly dangerous,” she said that France aims to “do everything in its power to prevent an escalation.”
She also reiterated France’s support for Israel, which she said “faced an unprecedented terrorist attack,” in reference to the Al-Aqsa Flood operation launched by Hamas on October 7 against the Israeli state.
Regarding the Palestinian population in Gaza, the minister stressed that “all civilians should have the option to leave Gaza if they wish,” adding that “Hamas cannot hold an entire population hostage.”
She also highlighted that “France supports Egypt’s proposal to organize a meeting of leaders from certain Arab and European countries concerned about the Gaza, in the presence of the permanent members of the Security Council” to find a way out of the crisis.
