Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam concluded a brief but important visit to Paris this week, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron for a working lunch on the internal situation in Lebanon and regional developments.
The extension of the mandate of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission and the demand for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory were key topics of discussion in Paris.
The parties also called for strengthening mechanisms to monitor the ceasefire and demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and an end to all violations.
A statement by the Lebanese government press service emphasises that Paris and Beirut support strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese army as the country’s only legitimate armed force. In addition, Salam thanked France for its continued support for Lebanon in the areas of security, economy, education and culture, noting Paris’ contribution to strengthening the stability and sovereignty of the republic.
Prime Minister Salam’s visit to France was his first official visit since taking office as head of government.
The Lebanese army has begun deploying forces on the border with Israel. For almost two decades, UN peacekeepers have been unable to prevent the rearmament of Hezbollah along the Israeli border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had expressed regret to his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni over the harm caused to UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
