News - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/?xtor=RSS-1 en Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L144xH72/visuel_defaut_une_fd-44916-890bc.jpg?1702480420 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr?xtor=RSS-1 Lebanon - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (7 Feb. 2024) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-q-a-extract-from-the-press-briefing-7-feb-2024?xtor=RSS-1 Q: Following Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné's trip to Lebanon, can we say that the implementation of Resolution 1701 at the same time as the creation of a Palestinian State would be a formula for peace in the Middle East? A: The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs reiterated the need for a Palestinian State. Concrete progress toward the two-State solution is essential, for the sake of regional stability. Given the very troubling situation at the Israeli-Lebanese border, Minister (…) 2024-02-07 16:31:24 56236_277609 Lebanon - Q&A - Extract from the press briefing (3 Jan. 2024) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-q-a-extract-from-the-press-briefing-3-jan-2024?xtor=RSS-1 Q: France has been working to try and prevent a conflagration in Lebanon, but after a strike against Hamas in southern Lebanon yesterday, the situation is getting worse. What is Paris proposing in practical terms to try and prevent an escalation in the coming days? A: As President Macron emphasized yesterday during his meeting with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz, it's essential to avoid any escalatory stance, particularly in Lebanon. France will continue sending these messages to all those (…) 2024-01-04 08:17:21 56236_277122 Lebanon - France is deeply concerned by continued border clashes with Israel (06.12.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-france-is-deeply-concerned-by-continued-border-clashes-with-israel-06?xtor=RSS-1 France is deeply concerned by continued clashes at the border between Lebanon and Israel. It deplores the Israeli shelling that killed a member of the Lebanese Armed Forces and offers its heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. France reiterates its support for the Lebanese army, which upholds the country's unity and stability. It reiterates its commitment to Lebanese sovereignty and to the full implementation of UN Security Resolution 1701 by all concerned parties. All parties must show (…) 2023-12-06 16:37:16 56236_276689 Lebanon – Visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon (30 Nov. 2023) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-visit-by-jean-yves-le-drian-the-president-s-special-envoy-to-lebanon-30?xtor=RSS-1 As part of his mediation mission, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon, is in Beirut from November 28 to December 1. During his fourth visit, which followed visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia for talks on Lebanon, Mr. Le Drian is meeting with representatives of all the political parties that hold seats in the Lebanese Parliament. Having been elected by the Lebanese people, they are responsible for the urgent election of a president. The stability of the country's (…) 2023-11-30 17:37:49 56236_276586 Lebanon – France expresses its concern following a shelling that hit UNIFIL (28.10.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-france-expresses-its-concern-following-a-shelling-that-hit-unifil-28-10?xtor=RSS-1 France expresses its concern following a shelling that hit the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on 28 October 2023. The incident caused material damage but no casualties. The safety of UNIFIL's staff and, more broadly, that of staff in all peacekeeping operations remains an absolute priority. We pay tribute to the Blue Helmets on mission in Lebanon, and our thoughts are with the French (…) 2023-10-30 11:52:11 56236_276134 Lebanon – France voices its concern after a rocket hits UNIFIL (15.10.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-france-voices-its-concern-after-a-rocket-hits-unifil-15-10-23?xtor=RSS-1 France voices its concern after a rocket hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at its headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on 15 October 2023. The incident caused material damage, with no casualties. The safety of UNIFIL personnel and more widely that of personnel in all peacekeeping operations remains an absolute priority. We pay tribute to the Blue Helmets on duty in Lebanon and our thoughts are with the French (…) 2023-10-16 12:25:37 56236_275914 Lebanon – Visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-visit-by-jean-yves-le-drian-the-president-s-special-envoy-to-lebanon?xtor=RSS-1 Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon, is visiting Lebanon for the third time, until September 15, as part of his good offices mission, which was launched in July in coordination with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. Building on the relationships fostered during his initial missions, he will meet again with all of the politicians represented in Parliament, who were elected by the Lebanese people and are responsible for electing the Lebanese president. (…) 2023-09-13 18:59:11 56236_275099 Lebanon – France expresses its wholehearted solidarity with the Lebanese people, three years after the explosion in the port of Beirut - Communique issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (04.08.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-france-expresses-its-wholehearted-solidarity-with-the-lebanese-people?xtor=RSS-1 Three years after the explosion in the port of Beirut, France has not forgotten the victims and expresses its solidarity with their families and close friends. The Lebanese people are expecting full light to be shed on the explosion. France hopes the Lebanese courts can resume the investigation which was opened, with full transparency and free of all political interference. France continues to stand by Lebanon, as it has always done. Communique issued by the Ministry for Europe and (…) 2023-08-04 12:10:59 56236_274614 Lebanon – Visit by Jean-Yves Le Drian, President's Special Envoy to Lebanon (25-27.07.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-visit-by-jean-yves-le-drian-president-s-special-envoy-to-lebanon-25-27?xtor=RSS-1 Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon, paid a second visit to Lebanon from 25 to 27 July. As he had done during his first visit, he emphasized to all his interlocutors the urgent need to overcome the current political and institutional deadlock fuelled by the continued presidential vacuum, which poses major risks to Lebanon, its State and its stability. In this context, he proposed to all those taking part in the process of electing a president to invite them to a (…) 2023-07-27 17:41:43 56236_274500 Lebanon – Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon, traveling to Lebanon 25-27.07.2023) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/lebanon/news/article/lebanon-jean-yves-le-drian-the-president-s-special-envoy-to-lebanon-traveling?xtor=RSS-1 Jean-Yves Le Drian, the President's Special Envoy to Lebanon, will be making a second trip to Lebanon from July 25-27. Jean-Yves Le Drian's first trip, which took place from June 21-24, gave him the opportunity to meet with representatives of all the political parties that hold seats in the Lebanese Parliament. He also met with the political, religious, and military authorities there. The President's Special Envoy to Lebanon then traveled to Saudi Arabia from July 10-12, before heading to (…) 2023-07-25 09:14:51 56236_274445