French President Emmanuel Macron Vows Support for Lebanese Army, Announces Training Centre. Macron, during his official visit to Beirut, has reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for the Lebanese army. Macron revealed plans to establish a specialized training centre to prepare 500 Lebanese soldiers, aiming to enhance the nation’s military capabilities.
Speaking during his trip, Macron urged Israel to hasten its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon as the deadline for their withdrawal, under a ceasefire agreement, draws closer. This ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France last year, had brought an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Macron emphasized the importance of Lebanon’s sovereignty, calling for the Lebanese army to have sole authority over all weapons within the country. He reiterated France’s commitment to strengthening Lebanon’s military presence in the south, ensuring stability and security in the region. The French president also pledged to mobilize the international community to support Lebanon in various sectors.
Upon arrival, Macron met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss collaborative projects. Mikati shared that Macron expressed his willingness to assist Lebanon in setting up a trust fund with the World Bank to aid in the reconstruction of southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire deal has been struck, and it's got some key requirements. By January 26, the Israeli army must pull out of southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army must move in alongside UN peacekeepers. At the same time, Hezbollah needs to withdraw its forces to an area north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from the border, and dismantle any remaining military setup in the south. With the deadline just around the corner, Macron is urging everyone to speed up the process. He is pushing for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and wants the Lebanese army to have full control over weapons in the south. To ensure everything runs smoothly, a special committee has been set up, comprising reps from Israel, Lebanon, France, the US, and UNIFIL. They will be keeping a close eye on how the ceasefire deal is implemented.
France has also taken a firm stance on international justice. Last November, France supported the International Criminal Court (ICC) in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. French foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine emphasized that France prioritizes the fight against impunity and upholds the ICC as a critical mechanism for global stability.
Macron also expressed deep concern over the destruction of cultural heritage sites in Gaza and Lebanon during conflicts, underlining France’s dedication to safeguarding these treasures as the host nation of UNESCO.