The French president delivered the final speech of his official visit to Lebanon during a reception at the Pine Residence in Beirut. (Credit: P.H.B./L'Orient Le-Jour)
BEIRUT — French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday that Air France flights will resume in February, following the two-month deadline set for the implementation of the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel. "I wanted to tell you that at the beginning of February, Air France flights will resume," he stated.
Macron, speaking from the Pine Residence (the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon) in Beirut during a reception at the end of his visit, provided no further details on the exact resumption date, which will depend on a decision from the airline's management. However, his comments suggest that the airline is unlikely to extend its suspension unless the security situation drastically changes.
The Air France-KLM group, which owns both Air France and Transavia, halted flights between Paris and Beirut in late September, joining other airlines in suspending services. The exception was Middle East Airlines, which continued operations. Air France extended its suspension multiple times, most recently until Jan. 31, even as other airlines resumed flights shortly after the cease-fire took effect on Nov. 27.
In his address, Macron also expressed support for Lebanon's recent political developments, including the election of Joseph Aoun as president, ending a two-year power vacuum, and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate to form a new government.
'France didn't give up'
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed renewed optimism for Lebanon’s future during his visit on Friday, emphasizing the country’s journey toward sovereignty and stability. "As you know, France has always believed in a united, sovereign Lebanon, master of its own destiny. And today, the winds have changed. Since Jan. 9, with the election of Joseph Aoun, followed a few days later by the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister, hope is here," he declared. "In the middle of winter, it's like a springtime, and it's the Lebanese who have made it happen," he added.
"After so many years of crisis and the return of war in recent months, the possibility of the restoration of a sovereign Lebanon is returning. I know how hard you have been hit in recent months by the Israeli bombardments, and I want you to know that your safety has been our constant concern with the whole government. We have ensured total mobilization," he continued.
The French president underscored that France had remained steadfast in its support, particularly since the 2020 Beirut port explosion, "organizing four international support conferences."
"Hope is reborn and spring has sprung. So now we have to look to the future, and basically, when we look ahead, it's a new period opening up with a lot of hope," he said.
Macron also addressed key issues raised during his visit, including the need to deploy the Lebanese Army across the country, the full re-engagement of the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, and the guarantee that the monopoly on arms will remain with the state.
Finally, he reiterated the urgent need for a government to be formed quickly and emphasized the necessity of reforms to strengthen the judiciary, fight corruption, and reform the banking sector. These measures, he noted, would "allow capital to return to Lebanon," he stated. The reforms were outlined by the International Monetary Fund in a preliminary 2022 agreement, though a final agreement has yet to be reached.
