France announces support for Lebanese army and ceasefire negotiations

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will organize a conference in the coming weeks to support the Lebanese army. The initiative follows the stalling of negotiations for a lasting ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Macron stated that the conference should take place after the Israeli elections and emphasized that France, alongside Qatar, is prepared to participate in efforts to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

France is also working toward establishing an international force to support the Lebanese military following the conclusion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, which is set to end on December 31, 2026. This follows a decision supported by the United States to end the mandate.

In recent diplomatic visits to Lebanon, French officials Jean-Noël Barrot and Alice Rufo met with Lebanese leadership, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. France reaffirmed its support for restoring Lebanese sovereignty and stability, specifically focusing on strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and ensuring the state maintains a monopoly on weapons. Additionally, Paris expressed support for direct negotiations between Beirut and Jerusalem under American mediation to consolidate the ceasefire and address the disarmament of Hezbollah.