French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, fist bumps Lebanese Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, in Beirut, on Jan. 2, 2023. (Credit: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament)
BEIRUT — The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, said on Monday in Beirut that he has been asked by French President Emmanuel Macron to "develop a program of military cooperation with Lebanon for the coming period," as Lebanon's troops, like the rest of the population, suffer from a severe economic crisis.
Lecornu, visiting Lebanon to celebrate the New Year with French soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), praised the cooperation with the Lebanese army after a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Minister of Defense, Maurice Slim.
He announced he had been charged by Macron to "define ways to strengthen collaboration [between Paris and Beirut] in order to develop the potential of the Lebanese Army, including the navy."
France has repeatedly donated food and military aid to Lebanese troops.
The French minister also stressed the importance of "cooperation with France to fight against illegal migration from Lebanon." On Saturday, the Lebanese military rescued nearly 200 migrants off the coast of Selaata, northern Lebanon, after their boat sank, leaving two dead.
Lebanon's recovery
Lecornu confirmed "the support of France to Lebanon" and hoped that the country "recovers," insisting on "the need to elect a president."
Since the end of the mandate of former President Michel Aoun on Oct. 31, Lebanese has faced an unprecedented double executive vacancy. Following the deadly Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in the port of Beirut, France has tried in vain to encourage the political class to engage in reforms, but divisions paralyze political life and prevent the election of a president.
For his part, the caretaker Lebanese Minister of Defense praised France's support for Lebanon and stressed the need to elect a new head of state.
Lecornu also met with the Lebanese Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.
Lecornu tweeted Monday that a "constructive exchange of views with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri," took place during their meeting.
He added that they spoke on the "bilateral relationship between France and Lebanon, and on the need to respect the constitutional deadlines in the country to work towards a way out of the crisis."
The French minister also held a meeting with Lebanese Army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun and visited Beirut port, the scene of the Aug. 4, 2020 blast. There, he "paid tribute" to the victims of the tragedy, according to a Tweet he published later in the evening.
Recueillement et hommage aux 218 victimes de l’explosion du 4 août 2020 au Port de Beyrouth.
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) January 2, 2023
Dès le lendemain du drame, nos @Armees_Gouv sont venues soutenir la @LebarmyOfficial dans le cadre de l’opération « Amitié » pour déblayer le site et apporter du matériel d’urgence. pic.twitter.com/Xs7ATaBoGg
