Support for the Lebanese army was the focus of discussions between top Lebanese officials and French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The envoy arrived in Lebanon on Thursday and met with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Talks also tackled Paris’ efforts to host a conference to support the army and another on Lebanon’s reconstruction given the “influential” role France played in extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Aoun informed Le Drian that backing the army is as important as Lebanon’s reconstruction following last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah. He called for more pressure from the US and France on Israel to cease its violations, which would help the army complete its security plan.
This was Le Drian’s first trip to Lebanon since the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate. Sources following the visit told Asharq Al-Awsat that the conference in support of the army, which was proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron in August, topped Le Drian’s discussions in Beirut.
The sources revealed that efforts are underway to hold the conference, which may be held outside of France.
Other informed sources said France is prioritizing stability in Lebanon and along the border. It also wants to ensure the country’s revival through supporting the army and the implementation of needed reforms.
Le Drian stressed after meeting Aoun that France continues to support Lebanon “in all fields”, especially in regard to holding the two conferences.
He noted that Lebanon’s decisions to impose state monopoly over weapons and the army’s ensuing plan to implement it, as well as the issuing of laws related to financial and economic reforms, were positive steps that would increase foreign support for Lebanon in all domains, said a presidency statement.
Aoun, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the role Macron is playing in preparing the two conferences.
He added that Lebanon is committed to completing the reforms, which are not just international demands, but also concern Lebanon itself because they are the main path to economic revival.
Moreover, he stressed that the army continues to implement the security plan, starting from south of the Litani River, to remove all weapons – both Lebanese and Palestinian – that are outside state control. The ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories is however hindering the army’s progress towards the border.
Lebanon has repeatedly called on Israel to commit to the November 27, 2024 ceasefire, but to no avail. Israel continues to violate Lebanon, it has not released any Lebanese prisoners and it has not committed to UN Security Council resolution 1701, said Aoun.
Following talks with Aoun and later Berri, Le Drian met with Salam. He reiterated to the PM France’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in its reconstruction, army and economic recovery.
The military is the main guarantor of internal stability and creates trust among the people, remarked the envoy.
Salam briefed Le Drian on the situation in Lebanon in wake of the government's decision to limit possession of weapons to the state, saying this has become an “irreversible national choice.”
Furthermore, he said the government is prioritizing the reconstruction and economic recovery conference, the conference in support of the army and the Beirut 1 conference on investment that should consolidate the international community’s trust in Lebanon.
Salam stressed that these three conferences are connected as there can be no economic revival without stability and no stability without strong institutions and an attractive investment environment, adding that the success of these meetings demands support from France and Lebanon’s Arab and international friends.
