Lebanese President Joseph Aoun / Depositphotos
On Friday, 28 March 2025, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The main topics of the meeting were economic reforms and attempts to stabilise the situation in Lebanon, where the fragile truce between Israel and Hizbullah is increasingly under pressure. This was reported by Reuters.
This is Aoun’s first trip to a Western country as president. He is seeking France’s support after Lebanon’s new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam managed to form a government, ending two years of political stagnation. The talks are taking place amid a tense situation: a ceasefire agreement brokered by France and the United States in November provided for the withdrawal of Hezbollah weapons from southern Lebanon, the retreat of Israeli troops and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the region. However, Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel accused each other of violating the agreement.
On the same day, the Israeli military reported strikes on Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon. These actions were a response to the rocket attack on Israel from Lebanese territory that took place a few hours earlier. “Today, we must move forward towards full compliance with the ceasefire,” a Macron administration spokesman said on the eve of the visit, stressing the role of France and the United States as guarantors of the agreement.
Paris is actively coordinating with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Vitkoff, and his deputy, Morgan Ortagus. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will join the talks via video link to discuss the broader regional situation, including ties between Lebanon and Syria following recent cross-border clashes that claimed the lives of 10 people in early March. “The contacts with Damascus are aimed at Syria reaffirming its refusal to interfere in the affairs of its neighbours and contributing to their security,” the French official said.
The President of Cyprus and the Prime Minister of Greece will also attend the talks. Both countries are cautious about lifting EU sanctions on Syria due to maritime border disputes with Turkey, which could affect the interests of Greece and Cyprus. The meeting in Paris provided a platform for finding a balance between Lebanon’s stabilisation and broader geopolitical challenges in the region.
Will Aoun and Macron be able to find a solution to preserve peace and save Lebanon’s economy? The international community is closely monitoring the outcome of these negotiations.
