Le Drian in Beirut... Two conferences for reconstruction and support for the army.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

**Arab Gulf - Follow-ups:** At a time when France is experiencing one of its most complex political crises after the historic fall of François Bayrou's government, President Emmanuel Macron's special envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is preparing to visit Beirut on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The visit comes at a sensitive moment for Paris, which is seeking to restore its presence in shaping Lebanese and regional balances, and at a time when Macron himself faces internal challenges that threaten the stability of his rule. Bayrou's failure to win the confidence of parliament forced him to resign, placing the president at a crossroads where his options range from dissolving the National Assembly, or even resigning himself, to appointing a new prime minister from the left or from the heart of the centrist bloc. Le Drian, accompanied by the economic advisor to the French presidency, Jacques de Lajougie, arrives in Beirut carrying two main files: preparing for an international conference on the reconstruction of Lebanon, and another to support the Lebanese army. The French envoy will also follow up on the issue of renewing the mandate of UNIFIL, which has been extended until the end of 2026 as the last extension before its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, in addition to developments related to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the Hezbollah militia before the end of the year, a decision based on an American proposal rejected by the party and its allies. Lebanese media indicated that Le Drian's visit will last two days, and that his meetings will be limited to the three presidencies: President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in addition to Army Commander General Rodolphe Haikal and the commander of the French force in UNIFIL. In parallel with these movements, Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Raji announced that his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, had informed him of President Macron's intention to hold two conferences for the benefit of Lebanon: "The first to support the Lebanese army, and the second dedicated to reconstruction and economic recovery, when the appropriate conditions are available." Barrot affirmed that Paris is "ready to accompany the Lebanese authorities in implementing their commitments and supporting the armed forces," noting France's welcome of the army's plan aimed at enshrining the state's monopoly on weapons, and thanked the Lebanese Foreign Minister for France's efforts in "achieving the best possible extension of UNIFIL's mandate," which was extended until December 2026 for the last time. The international community and donors link the provision of any financial support to Lebanon to the implementation of tangible economic and institutional reforms, including making real progress on the issue of weapons, leading to the dismantling of Hezbollah's arsenal. Army Commander General Rodolphe Haikal presented a comprehensive plan to disarm militias on Lebanese territory at the last cabinet session. However, the withdrawal of the five Shiite ministers prompted the government to merely "take note" of the plan without formally adopting it or setting a timetable, in an attempt to avoid provoking the Amal and Hezbollah duo. Diplomatic sources indicate that Lebanon expects France to play a role in pressuring Israel to stop its attacks and activate the work of the committee overseeing the cessation of hostilities in which Paris participates, warning that delaying this threatens Lebanon's security and stability, as well as the stability of the region as a whole. Commenting on the visit, former Lebanese Economy Minister Dr. Alain Hakimi told the "Erem News" website that Paris is clearly adopting the developments taking place in Lebanon after the government change. He explained that the French President's envoy is carrying a basic message that "help us so that we can help you," in reference to the fact that France's support for the Lebanese state is linked to the seriousness of the authorities in implementing their decisions, especially the issue of restricting weapons, in addition to coordination with Washington and Riyadh. Hakimi added that this message carries intertwined political and economic dimensions, as it confirms France's support for the recent decisions, especially the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate, in addition to its commitment to providing comprehensive military and technical support to the Lebanese army. However, he stressed at the same time that the economic file is a top priority for Le Drian, especially given France's position within the European Union and its role as an active member of the Quintet Committee in charge of the Lebanese file. The former minister pointed out that the success of Le Drian's visit on the economic level is conditional on the Lebanese state's full response, and on obtaining American and Saudi support. He considered that the government is required to accelerate the implementation of financial and economic reforms, especially financial re-regulation; which paves the way for the economic conference scheduled for next October, which is supposed to open the door for new investments and support for vital sectors, provided that a stable and reformist political environment is provided, and a real commitment to combating corruption is shown. Hakimi stressed that the Lebanese state is on alert to reach financial, political and operational reforms, including the implementation of a clear plan to restrict weapons. He believed that the failure of Le Drian's mission is not currently on the table, because the Lebanese government's position is clear in its quest to reach solutions. He concluded that the French visit is "studied and important"; as it paves the way for setting the rules for the upcoming economic conference, provided that two basic factors are available: the seriousness of the Lebanese state in committing to reforms, and close coordination with Lebanon's friends, foremost among them Washington and Riyadh.