French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot continued talks in Beirut on Sunday over the future of the international presence in South Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mission's mandate ends, as Paris seeks to prevent a security vacuum and preserve international oversight of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Accompanied by Alice Rufo, French Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, Barrot met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a day after holding talks with President Joseph Aoun.
The discussions focused on strengthening international support for Lebanon, securing Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory and reinforcing the Lebanese Army amid concerns that the departure of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) could leave a security vacuum before Resolution 1701 is fully implemented.
At the Grand Serail, Salam received the French delegation in the presence of French Ambassador Patrick Durel and Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh.
The prime minister stressed the need to preserve an international presence in South Lebanon capable of monitoring developments, reporting on violations and maintaining communication under a new Security Council mandate.
Such arrangements, he argued, were essential to preventing a security vacuum or the emergence of a new security situation along the border.
Salam welcomed France’s continued support, particularly its efforts to secure Israel’s complete withdrawal and help Lebanon extend state authority across its territory through its own forces.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the Lebanese Army’s capabilities so it could assume its security responsibilities.
The talks addressed recovery and reconstruction in the south, including restoring essential services, helping residents remain in their communities and reinforcing the presence of state institutions.
Economic discussions focused on the government’s financial and economic reforms and the importance of reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Barrot reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, pledging continued support for the state and its armed forces.
He also expressed Paris’ readiness to help shape future international security arrangements while supporting reforms, economic recovery and reconstruction.
Berri insists on preserving UNIFIL’s role
Later Sunday, Berri received the French delegation, accompanied by Durel, for discussions covering political and security developments, bilateral relations and Lebanon’s determination to maintain UNIFIL’s presence.
Berri thanked France and President Emmanuel Macron for their support, paying tribute to the sacrifices of French peacekeepers and the contribution of UNIFIL personnel over more than 48 years in implementing international resolutions, particularly Resolutions 425 and 1701.
He emphasized that the peacekeepers’ role extended beyond military and security operations to humanitarian, cultural, economic and social activities.
According to Berri, Lebanese authorities and the public were united in their support for keeping the international force in place.
He called for coordinated French, European, international and regional efforts to prevent a vacuum if UNIFIL’s mandate expires before Resolution 1701 has been fully implemented.
Berri maintained that Lebanon had complied with the resolution while Israel continued to violate its provisions, carry out military operations and occupy parts of South Lebanon.
International efforts, he argued, should focus on ending Israeli attacks and compelling Israel to implement UN resolutions rather than undermining them.
Aoun open to alternative arrangements
During Saturday’s meeting with Barrot and Rufo, Aoun welcomed French diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and Security Council to establish arrangements that would prevent a security vacuum.
While reiterating Lebanon’s preference for extending UNIFIL’s mandate, he expressed willingness to consider alternatives that would preserve an international presence in the south.
Aoun stressed the importance of avoiding a situation in which the Lebanese Army would find itself in direct confrontation with Israeli forces in occupied areas.
The discussions come as Lebanon and its international partners prepare for UNIFIL’s departure following a Security Council decision in August 2025 to end the mission’s mandate by the close of 2026.
France and Italy announced in June their intention to work toward establishing a multinational force to succeed the UN mission.
Paris has since underlined the need for a new international framework to support Lebanese sovereignty and prevent a security vacuum that could threaten stability in South Lebanon.
