French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot opened his Beirut visit with President Joseph Aoun as Lebanon considers an international presence after UNIFIL’s mandate ends. France says it is ready to help prevent a security vacuum. The delegation’s programme also includes military and political leaders; the separate EU support mission will not replace the UN force.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot began his Beirut visit on Saturday by meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace. The visit addresses an international presence after the mandate of UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, ends this year. France says it is ready to contribute to arrangements preventing a security vacuum.[1], [2]
The French embassy said Barrot would reiterate support for the June 26 framework agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The framework addresses Hezbollah’s disarmament, Israeli withdrawal and the Lebanese army’s redeployment. France had said on September 1 that it would support extending UNIFIL’s mandate if Lebanese authorities considered that necessary.[1]
Armed Forces Minister Alice Rufo joined the delegation. The embassy programme listed army commander Rodolphe Haykal and Defence Minister Michel Menassa, followed on Sunday by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri. The visit follows a September 17 meeting in Paris supporting the Lebanese armed forces.[1]
The separate EU support mission established on October 12 has an initial three-year mandate. It will not replace UNIFIL, conduct joint field operations with the army in the south, disarm groups or monitor hostilities.[1]
