French President Emmanuel Macron met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Paris on Friday and reiterated France’s commitment to preventing violence between Lebanon and Israel. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, expressing his determination to maintain Lebanon’s stability.
During their meeting, Macron emphasized the need for all parties to support UNIFIL, which has been deployed in Lebanon since 2006, and announced that France would work with European partners to address the situation in Lebanon following a recent European Council meeting. He urged Lebanese political leaders to find a way out of the institutional crisis in the country.
Lebanese deputies have struggled to appoint a successor to President Michel Aoun since his mandate ended in October, leading to political divisions in Parliament. Mikati currently heads a resigned government with limited powers as Lebanon faces the risk of conflict with Israel due to recent clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah claims responsibility for attacks on Israel, which has raised concerns about a regional escalation.
Macron’s personal involvement in the crisis signals a renewed commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, highlighting France’s long-standing support for Lebanon. The French president has called on all parties involved to work towards a resolution and prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
