Q&A

It has been seven months now since Jean-Yves Le Drian began a mission to try to resolve the political crisis in Lebanon, which still has no president. Can you tell us which results have been achieved to date?

The June 2023 nomination of Jean-Yves Le Drian as the President’s Special Envoy to Lebanon has helped give the Lebanese political class renewed motivation against the backdrop of strong polarization and the absence of a president since October 31, 2022. During his four trips to Beirut since his nomination, he has met with all of the political leaders in Parliament. He has succeeded in convincing all those he has met with to take a position and share their expectations regarding the future Lebanese president’s top priorities, as well as the qualities needed in order to tackle them. In doing so, he has helped the Lebanese political class find common ground, and continues to do so.

As tensions mount in South Lebanon in the context of the war in Gaza, Jean-Yves Le Drian has also shared the French President’s call to avoid a regional flare-up, which Lebanon would not recover from. In light of this new context, he has also called on politicians to ensure that the extension of the Lebanese army commander’s term does not become a pawn in the political game. He has thus helped to avoid a leadership vacuum at the head of the Lebanese armed forces.

In addition, the President’s Special Envoy to Lebanon has mobilized Lebanon’s main international partners, especially those in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, so that Lebanon remains a priority for them. The strong coordination in place now makes it possible to plan the next steps, which could put an end to the crisis.

Why did France decide not to join its partners in a communiqué yesterday that called on the Houthis to stop actions in the Red Sea and threatened consequences if those actions continued?

France condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthis against commercial ships in the Red Sea. These attacks undermine fundamental principles of international law, particularly freedom of movement on the open seas. Because of these armed actions, the Houthis bear extremely heavy responsibility for the escalating tensions in the region, as well as for international stability. We continue to call for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally detained by the Houthis.

France recalls that States have the right to take appropriate measures to ensure safety at sea. France has deployed in the Red Sea the frigate Languedoc, which is already contributing to that aim, including in association with Operation Prosperity Guardian. France will continue shouldering its responsibilities in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and will go on contributing to the safety of commercial shipping, in conjunction with its partners. In this regard, the regional players’ involvement seems to us crucial.

Do you agree with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell that the international community should impose a solution for Israel and Hamas in order to put an end to the conflict?

Our position is very clear. It is founded on the Peace and Security Initiative for all that was presented by President Macron during his trip to the Middle East in the early days of the crisis. France is forcefully calling for the immediate institution of a truce and for efforts to reach a ceasefire to be undertaken right away. France will help reestablish a political horizon in order to reach a two-state solution, which is the only credible solution that meets both the Israelis’ and Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for peace and security.