French President Macron Engages Lebanon’s New Leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for talks with Lebanon’s newly elected leaders. The visit follows a 60-day ceasefire deal aimed at ending a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Macron’s trip marks his first visit to Lebanon in over four years, underscoring France’s commitment to aiding Lebanon’s recovery.

During his visit, Macron met with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Their recent elections ended a two-year political deadlock and created opportunities for addressing the nation’s urgent reconstruction needs.

Ceasefire Monitoring and International Aid

France, which helped broker the ceasefire in November, remains actively involved in its enforcement through a committee that includes French and US officers. Macron also plans to visit southern Lebanon, where French peacekeepers are stationed as part of a UN mission monitoring the truce.

An international conference held in Paris earlier raised $1 billion for Lebanon, earmarked for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Macron’s discussions with Lebanese officials focused on utilizing this aid effectively while ensuring long-term stability.

Reform Efforts and Challenges Ahead

Macron pressed Lebanon’s leaders to implement long-overdue reforms to address the nation’s severe economic crisis, described by the World Bank as among the worst in over a century. President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam have pledged to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and restore state authority across Lebanon.

Hezbollah, weakened by the recent conflict, has criticized the new leadership. However, Macron remains optimistic about the potential for reform, emphasizing France’s continued support for Lebanon’s recovery.

As Lebanon faces significant hurdles in its path toward stability, Macron’s visit underscores France’s enduring ties to the country and its pivotal role in shaping Lebanon’s future.