A meeting took place at the Élysée Palace in France between French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, where they discussed the latest developments in the region and their impact on Lebanon. The conversation also addressed the vital role the army plays as a guarantor of Lebanon's security, and the French authorities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the military institution and enhancing its capacity to continue its duties.
General Aoun participated in a meeting to support the army at the invitation of the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard, with the presence of the Chief of Defence of Italy, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. The Army Commander presented the current status of the military institution and its various needs to continue fulfilling its national missions amid increasing challenges and delicate circumstances both domestically and regionally.
Additionally, participants considered the army's role as crucial in safeguarding Lebanon's security and stability, emphasizing the necessity of supporting it through various means to help overcome existing difficulties, reinforcing that supporting Lebanon's sovereignty remains a priority for France and Italy. The importance of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was highlighted, alongside continued cooperation and coordination with the army under Resolution 1701, contributing to reducing tensions in southern Lebanon amid the current exceptional circumstances.
