French Foreign Minister Stéphane Sigourney, along with his accompanying delegation, began his visit to Beirut by meeting with Speaker of the House Nabih Berri at the second presidential residence in Ain el-Tineh as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce escalation in the region. The meeting lasted about an hour, during which they discussed the political and field developments in Lebanon and the region against the backdrop of Israel's continued attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the bilateral relations between Lebanon and France and the renewal of the UNIFIL forces operating in southern Lebanon for a new mandate.
Speaker Berri reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to the rules of engagement and its right to self-defense against Israeli aggression, which has targeted civilians, journalists, and rescue workers, not to mention the use of internationally prohibited weapons, particularly phosphorus shells in agricultural and forest areas. He also stressed the importance of extending the mandate of the international peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon according to the French proposal and the provisions of UN Resolution 1701.
After the meeting, Minister Sigourney said: "I would like to thank President Nabih Berri for welcoming me and my accompanying delegation. My message is simple: to reaffirm France's support for Lebanon during these troubling times in the regional situation." He added, "What matters to us is working to reduce the tension; this is the message I conveyed to the Lebanese authorities and the same message I will pass on to other countries in the region. We hope to calm the situation in these very sensitive times."
The French minister continued, "France supports the work of UNIFIL. We have worked and are working within the framework of discussions to ensure the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate for the next 12 months, which is the work we are currently pursuing at the United Nations." Sigourney concluded, "Our message is one of support, solidarity, and responsibility, and France will continue to support Lebanon in achieving peace in the region. What matters to us above all is a ceasefire in Gaza, which is the essential and necessary element if we want to discuss peace in the region."
Following this, the French Foreign Minister met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at his home in al-Batroun. During the meeting, Sigourney reiterated "France's support for Lebanon, standing by it, and trusting it," wishing for "the continuation of non-escalation from the Lebanese side" and appreciating "the restraint during this difficult period." Prime Minister Mikati emphasized the "importance of supporting the extension of the international force in southern Lebanon for another year."
After the visit, in response to journalists' insistence, Mikati said, "In this difficult period we are experiencing, we can only uphold silence, patience, and prayer."
Additionally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, also met with Sigourney. The two ministers held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and the ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, particularly regarding the negotiations taking place in Doha today, as well as the issue of extending UNIFIL.
Following the bilateral meeting, an expanded meeting was held, including the two ministers, members of the French delegation, and French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro. Minister Bou Habib confirmed that "reaching a ceasefire in Gaza is of great importance to Lebanon due to its direct implications on the situation along its southern borders," stressing that "if efforts to achieve a ceasefire falter, alternative solutions should be sought to put an end to the Israeli aggression."
Bou Habib reaffirmed "Lebanon's commitment to extending UNIFIL’s mandate for another year, at least, due to its important role in southern Lebanon," and renewed the Lebanese government's readiness to enhance the presence of the Lebanese army in the south, urging Security Council member states to agree to extend UNIFIL’s mandate without any amendments.
For his part, the French minister noted that "the continued exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel during the Doha negotiations that commenced today does not send good messages," hoping that the parties in conflict would "avoid escalation throughout the duration of the talks," which he hoped would be "sincere and successful in reaching an agreement."
