French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced in a speech from the Pine Palace that she traveled to Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Beirut because the situation is concerning and dangerous, urging from Beirut to take responsibility and control the situation. She indicated that "Lebanese officials must play their part in preventing Lebanon from being drawn into regional events," emphasizing that "France is approaching the situation with complete seriousness and will spare no effort to restore the path to peace."
Colonna noted that "the scale of the attack on Israel shows that it was premeditated and organized," and demanded the release of prisoners without deadlines or conditions, stressing the need to avoid conflating Hamas with the Palestinian people. She asserted that "a humanitarian corridor must be opened so that assistance reaches the Palestinian people, and Hamas cannot hold an entire population hostage," adding that "we are working to evacuate French nationals wishing to leave Gaza."
Colonna also highlighted the importance of "protecting journalists covering developments in Israel and Gaza." The minister began her visit to Lebanon on Monday with a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, where they discussed bilateral relations between Lebanon and France and the current situation in Lebanon and the region.
Mikati stressed during the meeting the need for "conducting all communications and diligent efforts to keep Lebanon away from regional tensions," considering that "a ceasefire contributes to achieving this." He pointed out the necessity of intensifying high-level international and Arab meetings to avoid escalation.
For her part, Minister Colonna expressed concern about the regional situation, stating, "France supports Egypt's proposal to hold a meeting of leaders from some concerned Arab and European countries, in addition to the permanent members of the Security Council," and that she is making efforts "to find a framework to address the current issues and seek solutions that prevent uncalculated escalation." She continued, "We must avoid miscalculations and work to keep southern Lebanon out of tensions, as the current conflict could extend indefinitely."
The meeting included the French delegation accompanying Colonna, which comprised the French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro, Director for North Africa and the Middle East Anne Grillo, and several advisers. From the Lebanese side, the meeting included Mikati's diplomatic advisor Ambassador Boutros Assaker and former Minister Nicolas Nahas.
Afterward, the French Foreign Minister moved to Ain el-Tineh to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accompanied by Ambassador Magro and Anne Grillo, where the general situation in Lebanon and the region was discussed in light of the escalating Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Colonna had previously written on her official account on the "X" platform, stating: "On the third day of my trip to the Middle East, I arrived in Beirut. In this country already engulfed in difficulties, I will call on all parties to bear responsibility."
Catherine Colonna arrived today at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut coming from Cairo, for a visit during which she will hold talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib. She was received in the airport's VIP lounge by the Director of Ceremonies at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry Ambassador Abeer Ali, and the French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro.
