BEIRUT: French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the importance of “continuing to support Lebanon in asserting its sovereignty over all its territory.”
Macron was speaking from Beirut’s Presidential Palace on Friday, where he met with President Joseph Aoun.
Macron said: “Keeping Lebanon shielded from external interference is a prerequisite for the ongoing implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which was a diplomatic success.”
He pledged to “continue supporting the army in its deployment in the south and working with Lebanon to demarcate its (land) borders along the Blue Line.”
Macron’s visit comes a week after Aoun was elected, ending a 26-month period without a president for his country and following Israeli assaults that have weakened Hezbollah militarily and reshuffled Lebanon’s political landscape.
During a joint press conference, Macron told Aoun: “You have ended the political vacuum that Lebanon experienced, and you are putting Lebanon on the path to recovery. You are the hope, and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam embodies this hope. The Lebanese’s election of you confirms their demand for change and the revival of Lebanon.”
Macron also announced plans to organize an international conference during Aoun’s visit to France in a few weeks to “mobilize funding for Lebanon’s reconstruction.”
He said: “We will work on rallying the international community to support Lebanon in all sectors. UNIFIL’s work must be strengthened to enable it to fulfill its mission.”
Aoun stressed the close links between the two presidents’ countries, saying: “In the heart, mind, daily language, living history, and creative culture of every Lebanese, there is much of France.”
The new president also urged his guest to “testify to the entire world that the Lebanese people’s confidence in their country and state has returned, and that the world’s trust in Lebanon must fully return, because the real and authentic Lebanon has made its comeback.”
Macron landed in Beirut on Friday morning accompanied by a delegation which included French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The French president met Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the airport and praised “the mission undertaken by Mikati over the past years to serve everyone in Lebanon, especially during the significantly difficult stage resulting from the last war.”
Macron also laid a wreath on the unknown soldier’s tombstone next to Lebanon’s National Museum and visited Gemmayze, where he was briefed on restoration work in that area, which was severely damaged in the Beirut Port explosion four years ago.
Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres began his visit to Lebanon on Friday by heading to UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, where he delivered a speech which contained several warnings to Israel and Hezbollah.
“The continued occupation by the Israeli army inside the UNIFIL area of operations, and the conduct of military operations in Lebanese territory, are violations of resolution 1701 and pose an ongoing threat to your safety and security. They must stop,” he said.
“The UN peacekeepers have uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since Nov. 27, the date on which the agreement went into effect.
“The presence of armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Lebanese army and the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces between the Blue Line and the Litani River significantly violates resolution 1701 and jeopardizes Lebanon’s stability,” he continued.
Guterres met the commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, and was briefed on the challenges faced during the Israeli army’s war against Hezbollah. He also inspected the Blue Line and addressed the international forces there, describing them as “the peacekeeping frontline” and praising their “courage and resilience in the face of attacks through the Blue Line.”
He said: “You showed the importance of the blue helmets in deterring violence, supporting de-escalation, and protecting civilians. Your contribution has been crucial in restoring stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line. Thanks to your efforts, to a great extent, we are in a period of relative calm that requires support.
“This is a critical opportunity to support the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and deliver lasting security for the people of Lebanon and Israel.”
He added: “You have our full support to implement any adjustments that may be necessary during this phase. We will continue to work closely with the countries contributing to UNIFIL troops to ensure that you receive enhanced capabilities, including mine clearance and the disposal of unexploded ordnance, to enable you to resume patrols and monitoring missions.
“These capabilities, along with the operational methods within the framework of your mandate, are vital to restoring freedom of movement and access across UNIFIL’s area of operations.”
Guterres also stressed that the same messages would be conveyed to the Lebanese officials with whom he is scheduled to meet on Saturday.
He continued: “All parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel. The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times. Attacks against peacekeepers are absolutely unacceptable. They violate international law and international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces, as the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s security, are deploying in greater numbers in southern Lebanon, with the support of UNIFIL and members of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism.
“Your strong support and close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces will be essential to supporting a lasting cessation of hostilities and achieving the intended objective of Resolution 1701. We urge the international community to enhance its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
Regarding the formation of a new government for Lebanon, and paving the way for its vote of confidence in parliament despite the absence of the two Shiite blocs — Amal Movement and Hezbollah — in the parliamentary consultations on its formation, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam met speaker Nabih Berri, who had boycotted the consultations last Wednesday.
Following the meeting, Salam said: “There is a consensus from all blocs and independent MPs on the need to quickly revive the country and work on its recovery. Everyone is ready to cooperate positively. There are no obstacles or disruptions from any party. There are only two options: consensus and consensus. Disruptions and failure are not options.
“No one will obstruct, and no one will allow the government formation to fail, so that recovery can begin,” he continued. “Berri and I are on the same page. I will remain in constant contact with him until the government is formed.”
Salam did not discuss his plans for the government, but said he has “a preliminary vision … that I will present to Aoun.”