The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met today with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sigourney at the Grand Serail to discuss France's efforts to restore calm in South Lebanon and halt the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza. Mikati was briefed by Sigourney on his regional tour and the talks he would be conducting.
Mikati stated, "Lebanon appreciates France's unwavering support and assistance in all areas. We also value President Emmanuel Macron's significant effort to protect Lebanon and ensure its stability and economic recovery." He noted that "the French initiative serves as a practical framework for implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which Lebanon is committed to fully applying, while demanding Israel's compliance with it and an end to its destructive aggression against South Lebanon, in addition to supporting the army to enable it to carry out its duties and achieve lasting peace on the borders."
The Prime Minister again urged France and European countries to support Lebanon in finding a solution to the Syrian refugee crisis, pointing to "the beginning of a new European approach recognizing the challenge this issue poses for Lebanon and their willingness to work with Lebanese authorities on this matter."
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, also met with his French counterpart Stéphane Sigourney, who mentioned that "things are going well, and we will discuss several points with the delegation; France will always stand by Lebanon."
Army Commander Major General Joseph Aoun also received French Foreign Minister Sigourney in his office in Yarze, confirming "the importance of supporting the army due to its role in protecting Lebanon’s security and stability, and monitoring conditions in the south in cooperation and coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) according to Resolution 1701."
Later in the afternoon, the French minister met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who affirmed to him that "Lebanon is committed to implementing Resolution 1701 in all its provisions."
