Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron, welcoming Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to the Elysee Palace, affirmed support for measures aimed at Lebanon's economic recovery.
According to Kuwait News Agency, talks between the two leaders covered crucial topics, including Lebanon's security, prosperity, and sovereignty, as stated in a French presidency statement. Macron praised the steps taken by Lebanese authorities to strengthen state institutions and reclaim full sovereignty over all territories.
Macron expressed France's readiness to host an international conference to back Lebanon's new program in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund. He reiterated France's commitment to aiding in the reconstruction of affected areas in Lebanon, allocating USD 88 million for this purpose.
Regionally, Macron emphasized the necessity of fully implementing the ceasefire deal signed on November 26, 2024, and called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Lebanon. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNFIL) and improving the ceasefire control mechanisms.
Paris is also prepared to support Lebanon-Syria collaboration in safeguarding their shared border, offering expertise and archival documents on border demarcation, in coordination with Lebanon. Following the meeting, Salam expressed his confidence in France's continued support for Beirut, particularly the renewal of the UNIFL's mandate.
The meeting with Macron provided an opportunity to reaffirm the ongoing cooperation between the two countries, especially in cultural, educational, economic, and security fields. Salam took to "X" to emphasize the importance of strengthening the France-Lebanon partnership amid regional and international challenges.
Meanwhile, the French presidency noted that Salam's visit highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Paris and Beirut and France's ongoing support for Lebanon across various domains.