International visits keep pace with Lebanese developments.. Macron comes to Beirut “at a historic moment”!
Amidst a torrent of events that Lebanon is witnessing in the coming days and weeks, especially those related to the formation of the government, and with the expiration of the sixty-day deadline for the ceasefire agreement approaching, the country is anticipating this week important international visits, especially those that French President Emmanuel Macron will make to Beirut. Friday.
Within the framework of international keeping pace with the successive developments on the Lebanese scene, from the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic and the assignment of Judge Nawaf Salam to form the first government of the era, French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Beirut next Friday, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, arriving the next day. To extend congratulations to President Aoun, and to identify Lebanon’s needs for assistance in the next stage.
In details, the Elysee issued a statement yesterday evening, announcing Macron’s official visit to Beirut on Friday.
The statement pointed out that Macron would like to confirm, through this visit, France’s firm commitment to supporting Lebanon, its sovereignty and unity. He will congratulate the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun, on his recent election, as well as the Speaker of the Council-designate, Nawaf Salam.
Elysee: To form a strong government in order to implement reforms
The French presidency added: “In this historic moment that Lebanon is experiencing, the Head of State will reiterate his wishes for all success in their mission: to form a strong government, as soon as possible, capable of bringing together Lebanon in all its diversity, in order to implement the reforms necessary for the country’s recovery, and to allow the return of prosperity to all.” Lebanese men and women, as well as restoring Lebanon’s security and sovereignty over its entire territory. Today it is about responding to the aspirations of the Lebanese people, whom France has stood by in all circumstances.”
The Elysee statement continued: “This trip will also be an opportunity to work on the full implementation of the ceasefire announced by the President of the Republic and President Biden on November 26, and to confirm France’s commitment to this effect within UNIFIL. After the October 24 conference and the Head of State’s contacts with Lebanon’s distinguished partners, this visit will also focus on the challenges that Lebanon faces by strengthening its armed forces and internal security forces, also for the benefit of its sovereignty. “It also relates to the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts necessary to revive the country.”
French commitment to support Lebanon
The statement also explained that “Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the personal representative of the Head of State in Lebanon, will also participate in this trip.” Since June 2023, he has been responsible for facilitating dialogue between various Lebanese political actors in order to break the institutional deadlock. This trip reflects France’s continued commitment to the stability, unity and development of Lebanon, a historical partner and friend of France. It falls within the framework of the President of the Republic’s ongoing alert towards Lebanon, similar to his visits in August and September 2020.”
This comes after the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, discussed yesterday with the French Ambassador to Beirut, Hervé Margot, during his reception in the afternoon at Baabda Palace, the arrangements related to the visit that the French President intends to make to Lebanon, and a number of topics of interest to the two countries.
Yesterday, France extended “its warmest congratulations to Mr. Nawaf Salam on the occasion of his appointment to the position of Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic following the parliamentary consultations held on January 13,” according to a statement by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She also saw that “this appointment, following the election of President Joseph Aoun last week, represents a new window of hope for Lebanon and the Lebanese,” and she hoped to “form a strong government capable of uniting Lebanon in all its diversity as soon as possible in order to carry out the necessary reforms to revitalize Lebanon, and in order to allow… The return of prosperity to the Lebanese, the establishment of security, and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty throughout its territory.”
