France DGSE chief addresses border clashes in surprise Lebanon visit

Nicolas Lerner, the director of France’s external intelligence service, has recently visited Lebanon, marking his first trip to the country since taking office, as reported by al-Akhbar newspaper. During his visit on Wednesday, Lerner focused on conversations regarding the current tensions at the Lebanon-Israel border and the international diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict in the Gaza Strip from escalating into Lebanon.

The conflict in Gaza, which began in October, has led to almost daily confrontations along the Lebanon-Israel boundary, raising concerns of a broader conflict engulfing Lebanon. Earlier this month, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, after his trip to Lebanon, expressed uncertainty over whether a ceasefire in Gaza would extend to Lebanon.

According to al-Akhbar, Lerner’s discussions in Lebanon also explored the potential repercussions of a ceasefire in Gaza on the situation in Lebanon.