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French Foreign Minister in Beirut Despite Israeli Air Strikes

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (AFP)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (AFP)
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French Foreign Minister in Beirut Despite Israeli Air Strikes

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (AFP)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (AFP)

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Beirut on Sunday night, his ministry said, making him the first high-level foreign diplomat to visit since Israeli air strikes intensified across the country.
Barrot will hold talks with Lebanese and UN officials. His arrival as the foreign ministry announced that a second French national had been killed in Lebanon, though details were unclear.
“We confirm the death of a second French national,” the French ministry said Sunday, adding that further details will be supplied later.
In Beirut, Barrot will hold talks with Lebanese officials over the current situation and provide French support, particularly humanitarian support, Lebanon’s National News Agency, NNA, reported.
Speaking with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday, Barrot said Paris wanted “an immediate halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon” and was “opposed to any ground operation.”
Also on Saturday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier called the situation in Lebanon “extremely serious” and said he was “concerned for the safety” of French citizens there.
But the foreign ministry has so far stopped short of urging French nationals to leave Lebanon.
President Emmanuel Macron’s special Lebanon envoy and former defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Beirut last week, his sixth trip to the country, urging political forces to come together to elect a president after a long delay.
Le Drian has not spoken to the press about the visit.

 

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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)

Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Beirut was still committed to the agreement reached with US envoy Amos Hochstein on a path that leads to a ceasefire with Israel and implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he categorically rejected tying the ceasefire to the presidential election in Lebanon.

“No one has anything to do with the election of a president and no one has the right to interfere in this issue. This is a sovereign affair,” he stressed.

“Even though we welcome any initiative to help us, we reject any meddling or dictates,” he added.

Berri held a series of meetings with various officials, including visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army commander Jean Qahwaji.

“We informed the French minister of Lebanon’s position that is committed to a ceasefire and the immediate implementation of resolution 1701 in line with the agreement reached with the US envoy,” Berri said.

He revealed that he is in contact with Hezbollah and that its views “are not far off from our position.”

“I had previously made this initiative and had reached an agreement on it with Hassan Nasrallah. This agreement still stands,” he stated.

During his meeting with Barrot, Berri expressed his gratitude to France and President Emmanuel Macron on their “keenness and support to Lebanon, especially during this critical time with the ongoing Israeli attacks and siege that are preventing it from sending humanitarian aid to the displaced.”