IRIA News

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Lebanon on September 29, 2024, marking the first high-level diplomatic visit to the country since Israeli air strikes escalated the previous week.

The visit comes amidst growing violence in Lebanon and the tragic death of two French nationals, sparking international concern over the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

“We confirm the death of a second French national,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday, without providing further details. Shortly after the announcement another French citizen was reported dead in Israeli airstrikes. An 87-year-old French woman was reported dead due to a blast in a village in southern Lebanon, further raising the stakes for French involvement in the region.

The violence in Lebanon has significantly escalated following the killing of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a Beirut air raid on September 27. Israeli military strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon continued over the weekend, heightening fears of broader regional conflict. The already tense relations between Hezbollah and Israel have reached a critical point, with both sides engaging in retaliatory actions.

J’arrive ce soir à Beyrouth où la France est engagée dans la protection des civils.

Ce sont 12 tonnes de matériel médical acheminées par l’@EtatMajorFR que j’ai remis à nos partenaires libanais. Elles soigneront 1000 blessés graves.

Nous serons toujours aux côtés des civils. pic.twitter.com/KhGAJ9fez7

— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) September 29, 2024

In addition to his diplomatic mission, Barrot oversaw the delivery of 11.5 tonnes of French humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad, confirmed the aid, emphasizing the importance of international support as Lebanon deals with increasing casualties and a worsening political crisis.

Barrot met with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, the French minister emphasized “the importance of electing a president as a fundamental priority, alongside the necessity of halting the war.”

Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022, further deepening the political vacuum in the country. The failure to elect a new president has compounded the challenges facing Lebanon, already suffering from a crippling economic crisis and escalating violence.

Barrot also met with key Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to discuss the situation on the ground and the status of French nationals in Lebanon. According to reports, Barrot also met with the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and members of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, where the conflict has been most intense.

France deploys ship near Lebanon as Israel launches ground operation

A French navy ship departed from southeastern France on Monday, heading towards the Lebanese coast as a precautionary measure to potentially evacuate French citizens. This deployment coincides with Israeli ground forces crossing into southern Lebanon to conduct targeted raids against Hezbollah positions.

Approximately 23,000 French and Franco-Lebanese residents currently live in Lebanon. The French embassy in Beirut has set up a hotline and is coordinating evacuation options for civilians wishing to leave.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also stated that France is collaborating with the Lebanese airline MEA to facilitate transport arrangements. “We have initiated discussions with the Lebanese national airline to free up flights and seats for those of our nationals who wish to return to France,” Barrot told media.

Meanwhile, other countries, including Canada and Britain, are preparing to evacuate their nationals, while several airlines, such as Air France and Lufthansa, have suspended flights to and from Beirut.

Lebanon sitution

The UN peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), has been monitoring the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel since 2006, but the recent hostilities have challenged its ability to maintain peace in the region.

Barrot’s visit is part of a broader French diplomatic effort in Lebanon, spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron recently appointed Jean-Yves Le Drian, a former foreign and defense minister, as special envoy to Lebanon.

Le Drian has visited Lebanon multiple times, most recently earlier this week, to mediate between political factions and find a solution to the presidential deadlock. However, the ongoing conflict has overshadowed these efforts, with international attention now focused on preventing further escalation.

The situation in Lebanon remains precarious, with fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict mounting as Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue to exchange fire. French humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts, including Barrot’s visit, signal France’s determination to assist Lebanon in navigating its political and security crises. However, with Hezbollah’s powerful presence in southern Lebanon and Israel’s relentless military response, the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.