'France stands with Lebanon,' Macron tells Salam in Paris

BEIRUT — French President Emmanuel Macron received Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris on Friday to discuss the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as efforts to continue disarming the party. The international conference in support of the Lebanese Army, scheduled for March 5 in Paris, was also discussed.

“France stands alongside Lebanon, a friendly country, to defend its sovereignty, support its armed forces and accompany the reforms needed for its recovery,” Macron wrote on his X account after their hour-long meeting. “In Paris, we are preparing the conference in support of the Lebanese Army, whose goal is to strengthen its capabilities and its essential role in serving Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty.”

Speaking to LBCI, Salam said his talks with Macron focused on the conference in support of the army and the Internal Security Forces, as well as on putting in place all the conditions needed to ensure its success on the scheduled date.

They also discussed the cease-fire monitoring “mechanism,” and the need to maintain it so it can play an active role and curb Israeli attacks. Possible solutions for the post-mission phase of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, whose mandate expires at the end of this year, were also raised.

According to Salam, Macron reaffirmed France’s support for the reforms undertaken by the government, particularly financial reforms and more specifically the draft law on the distribution of financial losses. The bill, adopted by the Lebanese government in late December, had long been awaited by the international community.

Macron also expressed support for the government’s policy of continuing steps toward a monopoly on weapons.

The March 5 conference was announced in mid-January by the Lebanese presidency. Beirut is seeking additional financial and material assistance for the Lebanese Army to enable it to complete its deployment in the South.

Despite the cease-fire, the Israeli army continues to carry out daily attacks on Lebanon. In early January, the Lebanese Army announced it had completed the party's disarmament south of the Litani River up to the border with Israel. Future phases of the plan call for gradually extending the process to the rest of the country. The Lebanese Army is also expected to reinforce its positions along the highly porous border with Syria.

In Beirut, President Joseph Aoun met with French Ambassador Herve Magro to discuss preparations for the Paris conference. The talks also focused on the local and regional situation in light of recent developments.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Salam also met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. During a press briefing, a spokesperson said France "reaffirms its full support for the Lebanese authorities in their efforts to permanently restore stability, sovereignty and the functioning of institutions," welcoming "the progress made over the past year," particularly "the commitment of the authorities and Lebanese Army to the state's monopoly over arms."

France stressed "the importance of continuing economic and financial reforms," describing them as essential "to restoring the confidence of investors and the international community." It reiterated its willingness to support Lebanon through the preparation of a second international conference in Paris dedicated to reconstruction and economic recovery.

Paris also emphasized the need to respect the cease-fire and restore Lebanon's sovereignty over all its territory, noting that "Israel, like all parties, is required to honor its obligations" under the agreement.

Barrot also held talks on Thursday with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to coordinate efforts ahead of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army, reaffirming the need to strengthen the army and the state's monopoly over arms.