French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot holding a press conference at the French ambassador's residence in Beirut on Feb. 6, 2026. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
One month ahead of the international conference to support the Lebanese Army, set for March 5 in Paris, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot held a series of meetings with political leaders in Beirut on Friday, marking the third and final stop of his regional tour.
Received in the early afternoon at Ain al-Tineh by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the French foreign minister discussed the evolving situation in Lebanon and the region, relations between Beirut and Paris, as well as preparations for the international conference in support of the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in the French capital.
This conference was announced in mid-January by the Lebanese presidency, following a meeting at the Baabda Presidential Palace with ambassadors and envoys from the Quintet (France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, United States), including French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and the adviser to the Saudi foreign minister, Yazid bin Farhan. The event is set to be inaugurated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Barrot also met with President Joseph Aoun; Prime Minister Nawaf Salam; his Lebanese counterpart, Joe Rajji; and the army commander-in-chief, General Rodolph Haykal, who just returned from a three-day visit to Washington.
On his X account, Rajji said he discussed preparations for the conference with Barrot. "We also discussed the steps leading up to the conference, including the army's report on the second phase of implementing the decision establishing exclusive state control over weapons, as well as the preparatory meeting scheduled two weeks before the event and the importance of considering the period following the withdrawal of UNIFIL forces," he added.
He also noted that he thanked Barrot "for France's continued support for Lebanon and for its ongoing efforts to promote stability in the country." "I explained to him in detail the issue of the Israeli occupation and the repeated attacks on Lebanon, as well as the problem of Hezbollah's weapons and their impact on the situation in Lebanon," he concluded.
Barrot was then welcomed by Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. "We appreciate France's efforts in support of Lebanon," said Aoun. He also emphasized that "the Lebanese Army has made enormous efforts in the south of the Litani, without the other side making the slightest gesture." "We are waiting for the Israeli side to take positive measures, particularly with regard to the Israeli withdrawal and the issue of prisoners," he added.
Aoun also indicated that "relations with Syria are progressing" and recalled that a judicial agreement between Lebanon and Syria on Syrian detainees was concluded on Friday. "We have formed a committee to follow up on the border demarcation issue and are waiting for the formation of the committee on the Syrian side," he added, saying he was counting "on France's role in this area." "Stability in Syria has positive repercussions for Lebanon, and vice versa," he added.
Regarding the March 5 conference, Aoun also indicated that a preparatory meeting will be held in Doha.
Aoun also discussed preparations for the conference, which Washington will participate in, with the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa this morning.
A preparatory meeting will be held in advance to coordinate positions, especially since Aoun's participation alongside French President Emmanuel Macron gives this event special significance, according to the Lebanese presidency.
The issue was also discussed during the meeting between Aoun and Egypt's ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa.
After the meeting, Moussa emphasized "Egypt's commitment to working for the success of this conference and achieving results in support of the army, and therefore in support of the Lebanese state and its institutions, particularly its security institutions."
The Egyptian ambassador also said that he "assured President Aoun that the Quintet countries are committed to the success of this event and are working toward that aim. We hope the coming period will show that this conference will yield positive results."
