French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Lebanon marks a crucial moment in the country’s reconstruction efforts, as he meets with new leaders and offers support for their economic crisis.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday to meet with Lebanon’s new leaders and offer assistance as they seek to pull the country out of its long-running economic crisis.
Macron was met by outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, marking the beginning of his visit aimed at demonstrating Paris’s support for the country’s new leadership. The French President will meet with his counterpart, Joseph Aoun, who was elected president on January 9 after a two-year vacancy in the position.
Hopes for Peace and Reconstruction
Macron’s visit comes as Lebanon faces the task of ending years of economic turmoil compounded by a recent war. France has special ties with Lebanon after administering the country for two decades after World War I. The French President aims to “help” Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam “to consolidate Lebanon’s sovereignty, ensure its prosperity and maintain its unity,” as stated by the French presidency.
A Ceasefire Deal and Its Implementation
Macron is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Beirut. The meeting coincides with a January 26 deadline for fully implementing a ceasefire deal between Lebanon’s Iran-backed militia Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by France and the US in November.
Under the deal, the Lebanese army has 60 days to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south of Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws. Hezbollah is required to withdraw its forces to positions north of the Litani River and remove any military infrastructure it still possesses in southern Lebanon.
Potential Support from Saudi Arabia
Ahead of his visit, Macron spoke with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders gave “their full support” to forming a “strong government” in Lebanon. The new government must bring together Lebanon’s diverse people, ensure the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is respected, and carry out reforms necessary for prosperity, stability, and sovereignty.
The visit marks an effort by France to regain Riyadh’s support for Lebanon amid recent diplomatic incidents. French officials are optimistic that Saudi Arabia will provide financing and equipment to beef up the Lebanese army amid its new deployment.
