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French President Emmanuel Macron shared a message of support to the Lebanese on X (formerly Twitter) after the country was hit by an unprecedented technological attack that resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries.
On Thursday, September 19, Macron posted a video on his X account, reiterating the urgent need for Lebanon to elect a president – a position that has been vacant since October 2022 – “to lead the country in the face of the threats that weigh on you.” He stressed that “all political factions must take responsibility, and the Speaker of Parliament must convene (an electoral session) as soon as possible.”
Macron’s message came in the wake of recent waves of explosions caused by rigged pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon over the past two days. It was also released on the same day a meeting on the Middle East was held in Paris, attended by representatives from the French, American, Italian, British, and German foreign ministries, with Lebanon on the agenda.
“Your country is so dear to my heart, so dear to the hearts of our compatriots. And given our long-shared history, in every trial, we stand by your side faithfully, fraternally,” Macron said, standing with a Lebanese flag to his left, alongside those of France and the European Union.
Libanaises, Libanais, mes chers amis.
Dans la confusion, dans le chagrin, l’espoir est une denrée rare. Dans cette confusion, dans ce chagrin, la France se tient à vos côtés. pic.twitter.com/r2uIbnzItU
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 19, 2024
Recalling his visit to Lebanon after the August 4, 2020 explosion, Macron revisited the recent events involving the thousands of explosions of rigged pagers and walkie-talkies across the country, which left dozens dead and thousands injured. “Today, once again, Lebanon is struck by grief and fear,” the French president said. “Grief for all the civilian victims of this week’s attacks, and for their mourning families. Fear, too, that in addition to the economic, political, and social crises affecting you, the threat of war is now being added.”
It is worth noting that southern Lebanon has been the scene of ongoing cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel since October 8.
“As your country continues to endure these trials, Lebanon cannot live in fear of an imminent war,” added the French Head of State, emphasizing that “we must reject this inevitability.” He indicated that he had communicated with Lebanese leaders and “key actors of the crisis, from Israel to Iran.” “I told them that Lebanon must be preserved and war avoided. It is also up to your political leaders to act in this direction, and that’s what I conveyed to them.”
“No one benefits from escalation. (…) Lebanon’s integrity, security, and sovereignty must be preserved,” Macron stressed. He added, “Nothing – no regional adventure, no private interest, no loyalty to any cause whatsoever – justifies triggering a conflict in Lebanon.”
