French Foreign Minister meets with Lebanese officials

Arriving Sunday evening in Beirut to provide French support to Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, the first high-ranking Western diplomat to visit since the escalation of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, began his tour with Lebanese officials.

He met this morning with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, following his meeting at the Grand Serail, where he met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He is accompanied by France's ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, and a delegation, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Earlier this morning, the French foreign minister was received in Bkerke by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, according to NNA. The meeting allowed for an update on recent developments, NNA reported.

The French foreign minister did not make any statements following the meeting. However, according to the press attaché of the patriarchate, Walid Ghayad, the discussion focused on the importance of electing a president of the Republic, as the country has been without a president since Oct. 31, 2022. The necessity of ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah was also central to the meeting.

Throughout the day, Barrot will continue meetings with Lebanese officials. He is scheduled to meet, after his meeting with Mikati, with the commander-in-chief of the army, Joseph Aoun. According to his ministry, he plans to "engage with local authorities and provide French support, particularly humanitarian aid." He will also meet with the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Upon his arrival yesterday, he provided emergency health aid to caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad before a working meeting on the situation of French nationals in Lebanon.

Barrot's arrival also coincided with the announcement of the death of a second French national under unspecified circumstances. An 87-year-old French woman died last Monday after a "strong explosion" in a village in southern Lebanon.