Is Macron Planning a Trip to Southern Lebanon?

A new security team from France is set to arrive in Beirut within the next couple of days. This visit follows closely on the heels of a recent trip by Bernard Emie, the French intelligence chief, as reported by Annahar newspaper on Thursday.

The newspaper indicated that this delegation is scheduled to meet with numerous officials. In addition, there’s speculation that French President Emmanuel Macron may visit southern Lebanon to review the French contingent that is part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, in spite of the current cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

Annahar mentioned that it’s a customary practice for the French president to visit French troops stationed overseas during the Christmas season. Lebanon is a potential destination for such a visit, although no final decision has been made yet, and Macron might choose to visit another country.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing escalating skirmishes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 110 people on the Lebanese side, primarily Hezbollah fighters and civilians, as per an AFP report. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of six soldiers and three civilians, according to Israeli officials.