The French president at Les Invalides, in Paris, on March 12, 2025. Photo Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that he will host his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, in Paris on March 28, signaling France's full commitment to Lebanon's "recovery" and "sovereignty."
Macron made the announcement via the social media platform X, following a telephone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. During the call, he congratulated Salam for the work he is doing alongside his government "to ensure Lebanon's unity, security and stability."
"We discussed the prospects for reconstruction and the reforms it requires. This work is essential for Lebanon and the entire region," Macron added. "France remains fully committed to Lebanon. For its recovery and its sovereignty," he concluded.
Macron visited Beirut on Jan. 17, just nine days after Aoun took office as Lebanon's president. Four days later, Salam was appointed prime minister, ending a political stalemate that had lasted nearly two years without a president and with a caretaker government. Macron subsequently announced plans to hold an international conference aimed at mobilizing funds for Lebanon's reconstruction, following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended on Nov. 27 last year. The conference is scheduled to coincide with Aoun's visit to Paris.
Meanwhile, L'Orient Le-Jour has recently learned that the French presidential special envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is expected in Lebanon soon. "He is expected in Beirut shortly," said a French diplomatic source. According to our information, the Lebanese authorities were told about Le Drian’s visit to Beirut during a meeting held on Tuesday between Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji and French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro.
Announcement in Lebanese Arabic
The announcement of the call between Macron and Salam, as well as the planned meeting with Aoun, was also posted in Arabic, utilizing a Lebanese dialect, on Macron's X account, sparking reactions from users.
"You speak Lebanese now, Mr. President," one user wrote, while others reminded Macron that Lebanese people also speak French. "We understand French, President. You forgot there was a French mandate" over Lebanon, one comment read, referring to France's mandate over the country from 1920 to 1943.