The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdallah Bou Habib, met upon his arrival in Paris with his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné, at the Quai d'Orsay. Bou Habib thanked France for its ongoing interest in assisting Lebanon and for keeping the country a constant item on the French political agenda. He spoke about "the difficulties Lebanon faces due to the Syrian displacement crisis and the existential threat it poses to its structure and the future of its children," expressing hope for "France's assistance in organizing the Syrian displacement file," while appreciating the "French understanding of Lebanon's uniqueness."
The discussion also covered "how to restore stability in Southern Lebanon through the full implementation of resolution 1701, which remains key to returning calm and warding off the specter of war." Bou Habib praised the "French initiative," urging for "continued French-American dialogue and cooperation in this regard." They also touched on the upcoming French-American summit scheduled to be held in Normandy in early June, as well as the preparatory meetings, which are significant for discussing various issues, including matters related to Lebanon.
Regarding the ongoing war in Gaza, Bou Habib emphasized that it has "turned into a futile war with no political horizon, bringing only more destruction and death." The conversation also addressed "regional conditions." At the end of the meeting, Bou Habib invited his French counterpart to "visit Lebanon to continue discussions on all topics of mutual interest."
