Emmanuel Macron assured Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, received in Paris, on Friday of “France’s commitment to doing everything in its power to prevent the increase in violence between Lebanon and Israel,” reported the Elysium.
The French president, who also met the head of the Lebanese army Joseph Aoun, notably “expressed his determination to continue to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces with the support they need”, added his services in a press release.
According to the presidency, Emmanuel Macron “continues to act for the stability of Lebanon in such a way that it is protected from the risks linked to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East”. “In this context, he recalled the French commitment within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and underlined the responsibility of everyone towards it, so that it can fully exercise its responsibilities. »
“France will act in this sense with all those who are ready to become more involved, in particular its European partners, following the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council” which was held Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels, according to this press release.
“Finding a way out of the institutional crisis” in Lebanon
The Head of State, who also spoke by telephone with the President of the Chamber of Deputies Nabih Berri, once again called on “political leaders to finally find a way out of the institutional crisis which is weakening Lebanon.” .
Emmanuel Macron is expected to meet soon with other Lebanese political actors, a sign according to Paris that he has decided to personally invest again in the crisis in Lebanon. He asked his personal envoy, former Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, “to continue his efforts”.
Fear of large-scale conflict
Since the end of the mandate of President Michel Aoun (no family connection with Joseph Aoun) on October 31, 2022, Lebanese deputies have been unable to agree on appointing a successor, with Parliament being divided between the camp of the pro-Iranian Islamist movement. Hezbollah and its adversaries.
Najib Mikati, at the head of a resigned government with reduced powers, de facto leads Lebanon which fears being drawn into a large-scale conflict with Israel.
Exchanges of fire
Since the start of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, Lebanon has regularly been the scene of exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel. The situation further worsened with the Iranian attack on Israeli territory, carried out during the night from Saturday to Sunday, raising fears of a new regional escalation.
A local Hezbollah commander was killed Tuesday in southern Lebanon by the Israeli army, which carried out a series of strikes, with the powerful Iranian-backed formation claiming responsibility for attacks on northern Israel.
