• Emmanuel Macron visits Lebanon to meet the newly elected leaders and show support for reconstruction efforts.
• The French President urges Israel to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon before the ceasefire deadline.
• Macron announces an international aid conference to gather support for Lebanon's reconstruction after the recent Israel-Hezbollah war.
• Lebanon's political breakthrough comes after electing a new president and prime minister following a prolonged vacancy.
• The French leader reinforces the need for Lebanon's army to maintain a monopoly on weapons in the southern region.

BEIRUT (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron commenced a significant visit to Lebanon, where he met with the country's newly elected leaders. This visit is particularly pivotal as Lebanon attempts to recover from the recent Israel-Hezbollah war. Following a recently established 60-day ceasefire deal, Macron aims to reinforce support for the Lebanese government amidst its efforts to recover from the extensive humanitarian and infrastructural damage caused by the conflict. Macron's trip, his first in over four years, comes at a time when Lebanon is witnessing a political breakthrough, with the parliament efficiently filling a two-year presidential vacancy. (AP News).

Macron's agenda includes discussions about the impending troop withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, which is a point of contention as the March 26 deadline for withdrawal approaches. He called for an expedited troop withdrawal, emphasizing that, “We need a total withdrawal of the Israeli army,” during a joint appearance with President Joseph Aoun, the newly elected head of state who previously served as commander of the Lebanese military. Macron's visit signifies a supportive gesture towards Lebanon's new leadership and highlights the French commitment to facilitate and monitor the ceasefire's terms, which also dictate Hezbollah’s withdrawal of its forces. The significance of this ceasefire stems from its potential to stabilize the region and facilitate reconstruction efforts. (Le Monde).

In tandem with his calls for military withdrawal, Macron proposed an international reconstruction conference aimed at mobilizing funding to rebuild Lebanon's infrastructure, devastated by years of conflict. He stated, “As soon as the president comes to Paris in a few weeks, we will organize an international reconstruction conference,” expressing hope for renewed international support. This promise comes on the heels of a significant international conference that raised $1 billion in pledges dedicated to humanitarian assistance and military support following the recent geopolitical upheaval in the region. (Al Jazeera).

The culmination of Macron's visit sends a dual message of solidarity with Lebanon's new leadership while pressing for crucial reforms to combat the longstanding issues of corruption and mismanagement that have crippled the nation. The ongoing efforts of the newly appointed prime minister, Nawaf Salam, are aimed at steering the country towards a sustainable recovery, which has become increasingly imperative in the wake of the recent conflicts.

As Lebanon navigates through these critical changes, Macron’s visit stands as a testament to France's role in supporting the nation and facilitating lasting peace in the region.