French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon on Friday (January 17) to help speed up the formation of a government that can quickly implement reforms and open the door to reconstruction following last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah, Reuters reports.
Since a truce brokered by France and the United States in November, Paris has played a key role in helping break Lebanon's political deadlock, along with the United States and Saudi Arabia, that has now led to a new president and prime minister.
"In the middle of winter, spring appeared. And you are this hope, and the appointed prime minister concretises this hope by your side," Macron told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during a press conference in Beirut, after a majority of Lebanese lawmakers nominated him for the post.
Macron is the first foreign head of state to visit Beirut since Aoun was elected and Nawaf Salam was designated as prime minister.
As a former French protectorate, Beirut has strong historical ties with Paris, but the relationship has been complicated in recent years.
Macron expressed his support to Aoun's goal of sovereignty, which the French leader said was precondition for a lasting ceasefire with Israel.
He also reiterated the importance of "ramping up" Lebanon's army and its presence in the south of the country and of consolidating "international support in terms of equipment, training and financial support.”
Lebanon's armed forces aim to strengthen across the country and take control of the country's south as part of the 60-day truce plan that should see Israeli troops withdraw by the end of January.
