French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday expressed support for the Lebanese government’s plan to restrict weapons, describing it as a key step that must be carried out carefully, “especially since it has received broad European and international backing.”
In a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Macron discussed the Lebanese Army’s role in implementing the decision and reviewed preparations for two upcoming international conferences, one focused on Lebanon’s reconstruction and the other on support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). He underlined the importance of completing financial and economic reforms as a prerequisite for both events.
The two leaders also addressed the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In this context, Aoun thanked Macron for France’s role, alongside the United States and Security Council members, in securing an agreement to extend the mission until the end of 2027.
Under the terms, UNIFIL will operate on a 16-month cycle, with the final year dedicated to the gradual withdrawal of peacekeepers from southern Lebanon.
In addition, Aoun described the extension as a positive step that would allow the LAF to deploy fully to the country’s internationally recognized borders once Israel completes its withdrawal, hostilities cease and Lebanese detainees are released.
The Lebanese president also expressed gratitude for Macron’s “constant interest in Lebanon,” saying it reflected “the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and their friendly peoples.”
Salam Thanks Macron
Later on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.
In a post on X, Salam noted that Macron reaffirmed his commitment to holding an international conference on Lebanon’s reconstruction and economic recovery, along with another meeting dedicated to supporting the LAF.
Macron also voiced his support for the government’s decision to consolidate all weapons under state authority, Salam said.
The prime minister, in turn, thanked the French leader for his country’s continued backing, particularly its role in securing the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate, and briefed him on the successful second phase of the plan to place Palestinian weapons under the custody of the Lebanese Army.
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