LATEST NEWS AND STATEMENTS

• Lebanon – Payment of a contribution of €1.5 million to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (24.04.13)

  France has paid a contribution of €1.5 million to the budget of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for 2013. This brings the total amount of financial support provided by France since the tribunal was created to more than €7 million.

• Increase in tensions at the border between Syria and Lebanon (22.04.13)

  France is deeply concerned at the increase in tensions at the border between Syria and Lebanon. During the weekend, the fighting that took place in Syria around Qusayr was accompanied by further rocket attacks against the Hermel region in Lebanon. These rocket attacks compromise Lebanon’s integrity and sovereignty and threaten the security of the Lebanese people.

• Lebanon – Syrian bombing in the Hermel region (15.04.13)

  We strongly condemn the bombing carried out from Syria which killed two people and injured several others on Sunday in the Hermel region of the Lebanese territory. This incident is another unacceptable violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

• Lebanon – Syrian air raids on the village of Sarjal Ajram (12.04.13)

  We strongly condemn the bombings carried out by the Syrian regime’s armed forces on Wednesday and Thursday on the village of Sarjal Ajram in the north of Lebanon which injured 4 people.

• Lebanon – Appointment of Mr. Tammam Salam as prime minister (08.04.13)

  France welcomes the appointment of new Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who won a broad consensus during the parliamentary consultations conducted by President Suleiman. This support is an encouraging sign.

• Yamina Benguigui’s visit to Lebanon (26-27.10.12)

  The Beirut Francophone Book Fair, which will take place from October 26 to November 4 and which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will, thanks to the support of the Institut français, welcome members of the Académie Goncourt as guests of honor.

• Visit to Lebanon by Pascal Canfin- Conference on Decentralized Cooperation (01-02.10.12)

  Pascal Canfin, Minister Delegate for Development, will visit Lebanon from October 1 to 2 for the Conference on Franco-Lebanese Decentralized Cooperation which will take place under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

• Lebanon – Clashes between Sunnis and Alawites (22.08.12)

  We’re closely monitoring developments in the situation in Lebanon and want to express our concern about the increasing number of incidents. Lebanon should not allow a conflict that doesn’t belong to it to spill over into its territory.

• Laurent Fabius’s visit to Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon (15-17.08.12)

  During this regional trip, he will express our country’s support for Syrian refugees who have been forced into exile by the violence. He will also meet with officials in those three countries and renew France’s support for their efforts to welcome refugees.

• Visit to France by Mr. Michel Suleiman, President of Lebanon (12.07.12)

  Mr. Suleiman’s visit – the first by a Lebanese leader since President Hollande’s inauguration and the appointment of the government - will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the deep ties of friendship between France and Lebanon, as well as to address the major regional issues.

• Lebanon – Shells fired from Syria into Lebanon (10.07.12)

  France condemns the firing of shells from Syria into Lebanese territory and the repeated incidents of violence that have taken place in recent days at the Syria-Lebanon border.

• Lebanon – Syrian infringement of the territory (07.06.12)

  France calls for the respect of Lebanese sovereignty and commends the deployment of the Lebanese army to Ersal, making it possible to restore calm.

• Lebanon – Violence in Tripoli - Statement by Laurent Fabius (2-3.06.12)

  "In this troubled context, all Lebanese political actors must continue to demonstrate responsibility. I welcome President Suleiman’s wise and responsible decision to bring the political parties together for a national dialogue session on June 11. France encourages all Lebanese political actors to participate in President Suleiman’s initiative and to resume dialogue, the only way to ease the current tensions."

• Lebanon - Kidnapping of 13 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims in Syria (24.05.12)

  France condemns the kidnapping of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims in Syria. We call on the kidnappers to release them without delay.

• Lebanon – Violence in northern Lebanon and in Beirut (21.05.12)

  France deplores the armed attack which killed the religious leaders, Ahmed Mohammad Abdel Wahed and Mohammad Hussein Merheb on May 20. Full light must be shed on the circumstances of this tragedy. We extend our condolences to the families of both victims.

• Lebanon – Violence in Tripoli (14.05.12)

  France calls on all Lebanese people to give precedence to the interests of Lebanon over all other considerations and to promote dialogue, national unity and civil peace in order to prevent a crisis that is not of their making from spilling over into the country.

• Lebanon – Assassination attempt against Samir Geagea (05.04.12)

  We call on all Lebanese political leaders to show solidarity and peace by strongly condemning this attack and protecting Lebanon from all destabilization attempts, no matter where they come from.