France reaffirms support for Lebanon’s sovereignty

As part of France’s continued support for Lebanon, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Lebanese Army’s announcement, made during recent critical cabinet meeting, that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, describing the move as a step toward restoring the state’s monopoly on weapons.

In his statement, Macron reiterated France’s firm commitment to Lebanon and its armed forces, voiced his support for President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam, and called for the restoration of Lebanon’s full sovereignty. The French president also noted that an international conference will be held shortly in Paris to provide Lebanon with the necessary support to guarantee this sovereignty.

The statement follows remarks Macron made, in which he reaffirmed France’s commitment to Lebanon. In his address, Macron stressed the need to “build and consolidate a new partnership around the Mediterranean,” highlighting what he described as “the strength of France’s policy with Lebanon.”

The French president also addressed broader security challenges, calling for a renewed approach to multilateralism in defense and peacekeeping. He pointed in particular to the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), acknowledging its “key role” in maintaining stability while also noting signs of fatigue affecting major peacekeeping operations globally.

These remarks come at the culmination of an intensified French diplomatic push on Lebanon. In late 2025, Anne-Claire Legendre, President Macron’s adviser for Middle East and Arab affairs, and Jean-Yves Le Drian, the former foreign minister and Macron’s personal envoy to Lebanon, each made multiple visits within the span of a month as part of efforts to advance political and security reforms. Legendre has also carried out regional outreach, including visits to Saudi Arabia, aimed at coordinating positions with key actors.

French support to Lebanon

France has played a central role in supporting both the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the civilian population amid Lebanon’s ongoing crises. In October 2024, a donor conference hosted in Paris raised approximately $800 million in humanitarian assistance for Lebanon, alongside an additional $200 million for the country’s security forces.

That same year, France also delivered nearly 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the Lebanese civilian population through the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, underscoring Paris’s continued engagement on both the humanitarian and security fronts.

France’s support has also extended to the international security framework in southern Lebanon. In August 2025, Paris sponsored the unanimous adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2790, extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for an additional 16 months, through December 31, 2026.

As Lebanon navigates a fragile political moment, France’s renewed commitments signal sustained international backing for the state and its armed forces. Whether this backing translates into lasting stability, however, will depend on the Lebanese state’s ability to follow through on reforms and consolidate authority amid deep-seated political and security challenges.