Adviser to the French president on Middle East and North Africa Anne-Claire Legendre carried a message of support from President Emmanuel Macron to Beirut on Thursday, reaffirming France’s backing for stability in southern Lebanon and for activating the Quintet Committee tasked with implementing the ceasefire “mechanism.”
She also relayed France’s efforts to push for de-escalation by Israel and to prepare two upcoming conferences, one to support the Lebanese army and another for reconstruction.
During her meetings with Lebanese officials, Legendre met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who told her that the main obstacle preventing full army deployment south of the Litani River to the international border remains Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese land and its daily hostilities, as well as the lack of implementation of the agreement announced in November 2024.
Despite the attacks, Aoun said, “the army continues to implement the security plan south of the Litani with precision by seizing weapons and ammunition, uncovering tunnels and depots, and extending state authority in accordance with Resolution 1701.”
He stressed that “Israel’s claims about army shortcomings are baseless,” noting that around 12 soldiers had been killed in recent missions.
Aoun said the army “enjoys the trust of the Lebanese and represents the first line of defense for southern residents,” but added that moral support was not enough. “The army needs equipment and military vehicles, which the Paris-led conference to support the armed forces, held in coordination with Washington and Riyadh, is expected to secure,” he said.
Reconstruction Needs
The president underlined the urgent need for reconstruction in the south, saying that “the return of residents to their villages cannot happen while Israeli attacks continue.”
He pointed to the recent shelling of the border town of Blida, which hit civilian and government facilities.
Aoun expressed surprise that some countries had adopted Israel’s narrative accusing Lebanon of failing to honor the November 2024 agreement, saying they “ignore Israel’s ongoing violations and its determination to undermine the will of the international community, particularly that of the ceasefire’s sponsors, France and the United States.”
He also highlighted the “growing trust between the army and the residents of southern villages,” especially as the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL is set to begin withdrawing in early 2026, when the Lebanese army will assume full security responsibility after its ranks grow to around 10,000 troops by the end of this year.
He noted “geographical challenges faced by army units in an area full of valleys and forests, which require additional support.” “Negotiation Is the Key to Stability”
Responding to Legendre’s questions, Aoun said the negotiation option he announced weeks ago “could restore stability to southern Lebanon and the country as a whole, since continued aggression will lead nowhere.”
He added that “similar experiences in other countries have shown that negotiation is always the sustainable solution to futile wars.”
He emphasized that “foreign support from Lebanon’s brothers and friends, especially France and the United States, could yield positive results,” adding that the “mechanism committee” could serve as one of the frameworks to sponsor such talks.
Meeting with Berri
From Baabda, Legendre headed to Ain el-Tineh, where she met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
The two discussed developments in the south, the escalating border tensions, and internal political issues, as well as Lebanese-French relations and ways to strengthen them at this stage, according to a parliament statement.
Visit to the Grand Serail
In the third leg of her visit, Legendre met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail.
She reaffirmed France’s “sincere support for the government’s efforts to implement reforms and advance negotiations with the International Monetary Fund,” describing an IMF deal as “a key step toward restoring financial and economic stability.”
Salam, pictured with the French delegation headed by Legendre, said reform was “a national choice before being an international commitment.”
He stressed that the government was “working seriously to finalize the required measures, foremost among them the financial gap draft law, which is nearing completion and will soon be referred to parliament, along with strengthened financial controls.”
The meeting also touched on the situation in the south, with Salam stressing the need “to end this escalation that threatens regional stability and hinders national recovery efforts.”
Legendre reiterated that France “stands by Lebanon and is working with international partners to help consolidate stability in the south.”
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