October 18, 2026
During his reception of a French ministerial delegation headed by the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, stressed the centrality of the continued French support for Lebanon, stressing the need to stop the ongoing Israeli escalation in the south and prevent any possible security vacuum after the end of the missions of international forces.
Aoun thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to restore the operation of French commercial flights to Beirut, and his support for the ports of Beirut and Tripoli to join the “IMEC Ports Club,” in addition to his pivotal role in establishing a European mission to provide advice and support to the Lebanese army and internal security forces for a period of three years, stressing that these positions reflect the depth of the deep-rooted historical relations between the two countries, and expressed his hope for the continued French presence to serve their common interest.
In the southern field file, Aoun explained that Israel continues its attacks on southern villages and towns through bulldozing operations, destroying homes, and preventing farmers from reaching their lands, indicating that it has not adhered to the provisions of the framework agreement concluded under American sponsorship, and that the continued occupation and tension prevent the Lebanese army from being able to deploy to the southern international border in implementation of Resolution 1701.
The Lebanese President revealed the participation of a Lebanese military delegation in the tripartite meeting scheduled to be held in Tampa on the twentieth of October, to put Lebanese demands to stop the escalation on the table, looking forward to results consistent with the framework agreement, and affirming Lebanon’s desire to extend the international forces or continue their security missions during the year 2027 (the date of their withdrawal), while welcoming any alternative formula that guarantees an international presence that prevents a vacuum and prevents the Lebanese army from being placed in direct contact with the Israeli forces in the occupied territories, in addition to welcoming any A French effort at the United Nations and the Security Council to achieve this goal.
Regarding internal affairs, Aoun pointed out that the army and security forces are implementing the government’s decisions related to extending state authority, preventing armed demonstrations, confiscating weapons and ammunition, and referring violators to justice, stressing that strengthening the army’s capabilities and equipping it with equipment constitutes a basic foundation for carrying out its tasks, and expressing his hope that the international conference to support the army and internal security forces will be held soon based on the positive atmosphere of the preparatory conference in Paris last month. He also stressed the continuation of work to achieve the economic and financial reforms referred to the House of Representatives, considering Lebanon a natural strategic partner for Europe because its security and stability are linked to the security of the continent.
For his part, Minister Jean-Noel Barrot conveyed the greetings of President Emmanuel Macron and his affirmation of France’s steadfast support for Lebanon and its continued support for it in various fields in cooperation with European partners, stressing Paris’s commitment to working to fully implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement concluded on June 26, 2026 and UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701.
Barrow stressed the necessity of establishing a new international structure to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, support the redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and avoid any security vacuum that might result in dangerous consequences, stressing his country’s readiness to fully assume its role in this framework, in addition to the importance of moving forward with basic reforms for the advancement of the country, and France’s readiness to mobilize its capabilities to respond to emergency humanitarian needs in Lebanon.
