President Joseph Aoun underscored on Monday Lebanon’s openness to an enhanced French role within the framework of the “Mechanism Committee,” stressing that any such involvement must support the committee’s core negotiation goals.
In his remarks during a meeting at Baabda Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron’s special envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Aoun outlined Lebanon’s priorities: ending hostilities, securing Israel’s withdrawal from occupied southern territories, releasing Lebanese detainees, and resolving outstanding points along the Blue Line.
Aoun briefed Le Drian on the circumstances that led to the reactivation of the committee’s work and the appointment of former ambassador Simon Karam as the head of the Lebanese delegation. He noted that the committee’s next meeting, slated for December 19, is expected to open discussions in accordance with a structured set of priorities. “Our decision to relaunch the Mechanism reflects our clear preference for diplomatic solutions,” he said. “We do not wish to return to the language of war.”
The president firmly rejected accusations that the Lebanese Army has failed to fulfill its responsibilities south of the Litani River. He described such claims as unfounded, emphasizing that since its deployment a year ago, the army has executed all assigned tasks, losing 12 soldiers in the line of duty. He added that UNIFIL’s leadership, as well as visiting delegations, including ambassadors from UN Security Council member states, have acknowledged the army’s performance.
Aoun stressed the army’s readiness to cooperate fully with the Mechanism Committee, noting that its chair had already praised the institution’s effectiveness and professionalism. “Assertions that the army is not carrying out its mission properly are baseless and unacceptable,” he said.
He also highlighted the urgent need to equip the army with sufficient resources to ensure it can carry out its duties, both south of the Litani and across Lebanon.
Aoun told Le Drian that Lebanon supports any review by the Mechanism Committee of measures implemented in the south, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Looking ahead to UNIFIL’s scheduled withdrawal in 2027, he welcomed the willingness of certain EU countries to assist the Lebanese Army in securing the border, once the appropriate legal frameworks are established.
On domestic affairs, Aoun reaffirmed that he, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are committed to holding parliamentary elections on time.
For his side, Le Drian, conveying President Macron’s greetings, reiterated France’s support for Aoun’s decision to appoint Karam and reactivate the Mechanism Committee.
He reaffirmed that France stands by Lebanon in choices that reinforce its security and stability. The envoy also noted the positive global resonance of Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit, saying it underscored Lebanon’s resilience and the significance of its role, particularly as the pontiff highlighted the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meeting with Raggi
Later on Monday, Le Drian held talks with Foreign Minister Joe Raggi, with French Ambassador Hervé Magro also in attendance. The French envoy underscored the need to establish a clear mechanism to verify real progress in efforts to confine weapons exclusively to the state. He said his visit aimed to gauge Lebanon’s stance ahead of next week’s tripartite meeting in Paris between France, the United States and Saudi Arabia, part of the preparations for an international conference to support the Lebanese Army and outline a roadmap for a long-term cease-fire.
Raggi, for his part, affirmed that the Lebanese Army continues to shoulder critical responsibilities despite limited resources, emphasizing the necessity of bolstering its capacities so it can fully implement the government’s plan to assert state authority and consolidate arms under its control across all Lebanese territory. He also welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Simon Karam to lead the Lebanese delegation to the Mechanism Committee, describing it as a positive step that could help avert a major Israeli escalation.
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