Macron visits Lebanon, first trip since 2020 to back new leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday to meet his Lebanese counterpart and lend support to the country’s new leadership as it seeks to rebuild after years of turmoil and conflict.

Lebanon ended a two-year political vacuum on January 9 with the election of Joseph Aoun as president, who appointed Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate. The new administration faces the daunting task of guiding Lebanon through a post-war recovery following a devastating Israel-Hezbollah conflict and a prolonged economic crisis.

Macron is also set to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of a January 26 deadline for implementing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. The deal includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the redeployment of Hezbollah forces away from the border, with the Lebanese army assuming control of southern Lebanon.

The French presidency emphasized Macron’s goal to support Aoun and Salam in consolidating Lebanon’s sovereignty, fostering unity, and advancing prosperity.

France, which administered Lebanon under a mandate after World War I until the country gained independence in 1943, has maintained close ties with the nation. Analysts say Hezbollah’s weakened position following last year’s war with Israel helped end Lebanon’s political deadlock, paving the way for the election of Joseph Aoun

During his visit, Macron will also meet parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, as well as UNIFIL officials and members of a ceasefire monitoring committee.

In October, an international aid conference in Paris pledged support for Lebanon, and France promised symbolic gestures to mobilize global assistance.