The French envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Ain el-Tineh, on September 11, 2025. Photo Mohammad Yassine/ L'Orient-Le Jour
Is France aiming to (re)assert its role in Lebanon? This question has been circulating in political and diplomatic circles since the visit of France's special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to Beirut this Wednesday was announced. This time, the diplomat returns in a context where Lebanon has become the field of a battle for influence between Washington and Paris, with the Americans leading the Lebanon-Israel negotiations, overshadowing the French. The latter remain active, however, with an eye on the post-war phase, particularly regarding the post-UNIFIL period in southern Lebanon. Read yesterday's analysis Cease-fire in Beirut, war in south Lebanon: Inside the murky deal announced by Trump This is how several diplomatic sources succinctly summarize for L’Orient-Le Jour the objectives of Le Drian’s trip to Beirut....
Is France aiming to (re)assert its role in Lebanon? This question has been circulating in political and diplomatic circles since the visit of France's special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to Beirut this Wednesday was announced. This time, the diplomat returns in a context where Lebanon has become the field of a battle for influence between Washington and Paris, with the Americans leading the Lebanon-Israel negotiations, overshadowing the French. The latter remain active, however, with an eye on the post-war phase, particularly regarding the post-UNIFIL period in southern Lebanon. Read yesterday's analysis Cease-fire in Beirut, war in south Lebanon: Inside the murky deal announced by Trump This is how several diplomatic sources succinctly summarize for L’Orient-Le Jour the objectives of Le Drian’s trip to Beirut....
