BEIRUT — On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with the newly elected President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, pledging France’s commitment to assisting the nation as it seeks to navigate through a profound economic crisis and the recently concluded 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron’s visit to Lebanon marks his first in over four years and comes in the wake of a ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27. This truce, which aims to bring an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, was facilitated by France, with a French military officer participating in the ceasefire oversight committee. Following the ceasefire’s announcement, Lebanon’s parliament managed to overcome a prolonged deadlock that had left the presidency unfilled for over two years, enabling the naming of a new prime minister, esteemed jurist and diplomat Nawaf Salam, who is currently in the process of establishing a new cabinet.
Lebanon’s administration is optimistic that this political advancement will enhance international confidence and facilitate the release of necessary funds for the reconstruction efforts following the conflict. The war resulted in over 4,000 deaths and more than 16,000 injuries within Lebanon. During an international conference in Paris in October, pledges amounting to $1 billion were offered for humanitarian assistance and military support.
In a joint press briefing with Aoun, Macron, who has been vocal about his criticisms of Lebanon’s governing body, expressed that France stands ready to support Lebanon’s recovery and expressed hope that the new government would usher in “a new era” characterized by improved political conduct and the restoration of state authority for the benefit of all citizens. Aoun expressed his desire for Macron to acknowledge the renewed trust of the Lebanese populace in the country’s leadership, stating, “The world’s confidence in Lebanon should be also restored.” He affirmed, “The real Lebanon has come back.”
Upon his arrival at Beirut’s international airport, Macron was welcomed by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He announced that France would be deploying an additional 80 experts to complement the existing 750 French troops currently stationed in southern Lebanon as part of a U.N. peacekeeping mission. Macron described this action as “a message of gratitude” to the Lebanese people.
During his visit, Macron toured various neighborhoods in Beirut, engaging with residents and sharing moments with them through selfies before proceeding to the presidential palace for meetings with Aoun, Mikati, and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Macron noted that, of the international pledges made during the Paris conference in October, two-thirds have been fulfilled, with France contributing 83 million euros of its promised 100 million.
As a long-term critic of Lebanon’s political elite, Macron has frequently urged Lebanese authorities to enact reforms to mitigate the nation’s economic crisis, which the World Bank has labeled as one of the worst in over a century. However, progress in implementing changes has been limited.
Both Aoun and the prime minister-designate have committed to addressing the ongoing economic challenges facing Lebanon and reasserting state control over areas traditionally dominated by Hezbollah. The recent conflict has diminished Hezbollah’s influence, a group supported by Iran that has played a significant role in Lebanese politics for many years. Although Hezbollah preferred alternative candidates for the presidential and prime ministerial positions, it ultimately supported Aoun while abstaining from endorsing Salam.
After meeting with Macron at the airport, Mikati stated, “President Macron promised to continue support for the new government.” He further mentioned that Macron would be convening with U.S. and French officers involved in the ceasefire monitoring committee and would later engage with additional Lebanese officials. When asked about France’s ability to ensure Israel’s military withdrawal from Lebanon after the 60-day ceasefire, Mikati indicated that this was not a topic of discussion but that the French administration is in communication with U.S. officials regarding the issue.
Macron acknowledged that incremental progress had been made concerning the ceasefire agreement, yet he emphasized that further action is vital. “We need a total withdrawal of Israeli forces and that the Lebanese army gets a total monopoly on weapons,” he stated. He regarded the ceasefire as a pivotal diplomatic achievement that aimed to halt an “unbearable spiral of violence” and save lives, a success that needs to be safeguarded.
Macron’s previous visit to Lebanon took place in August 2020, shortly after a devastating explosion at the Beirut port that resulted in over 200 fatalities and left thousands injured.
