Macron’s Letter to Aoun Stresses Discontent With Obstacles Hindering Govt Formation

French President Emmanuel Macron wears a face mask as he arrives to attend a meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron wears a face mask as he arrives to attend a meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool
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Macron’s Letter to Aoun Stresses Discontent With Obstacles Hindering Govt Formation

French President Emmanuel Macron wears a face mask as he arrives to attend a meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron wears a face mask as he arrives to attend a meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool

A letter sent by French President Emmanuel Macron to President Michel Aoun on the occasion of Lebanon’s Independence Day reflected Paris’ discontent with the obstacles hampering the formation of a new government.

Political opposition sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the letter sent by Macron to congratulate Lebanon on the 77th anniversary of its independence, emphasized the need for the parties involved in the cabinet formation to commit to their obligations in the road map and secure the birth of a strong government.

The same sources noted that Macron called on Aoun to shoulder his responsibility and respond to the demands that were raised by the Lebanese people in their uprising more than a year ago.

The sources in the opposition saw that the French administration was moving along two paths: The first is internal, and aims to clarify the reasons that still impede the practical implementation of Macron’s initiative; and the second is external, through contacts with regional countries and other actors in the international community, in light of Tehran’s unwillingness to intervene to facilitate the birth of the government.

The sources emphasized that Paris would not remain silent and would be forced to announce its position at the appropriate time. This Ex-PM Saad Hariri delay revealing his next step in case the formation of the government continues to be obstructed, according to the sources.

The opposition sources also accused Aoun of wanting to rule the country alone and insisting on acting on most thorny issues as he used to behave during his tenure as prime minister of the military government in the late 1980s.



Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza

 Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
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Israeli Military Begins ‘Ground Activity’ to Extend ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Gaza

 Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians, who flee from Rafah amidst ongoing Israeli military operations following Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, arrive in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP)

The Israeli military said on Saturday it had begun "ground activity" in the Jneina neighborhood of Rafah to expand what it described as the security zone in southern Gaza.

On March 18, Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Hamas which it said were intended to increase pressure on the Palestinian group Hamas to free hostages.