Paris Summit: Macron Hosts Mikati and Army Chief

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting in Paris with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati amid growing concerns of a potential regional flare-up linked to the Gaza conflict. Lebanon’s Army Chief, Joseph Aoun, was also present.

This meeting occurred shortly after reports surfaced of Israeli retaliatory strikes against Iran. Lebanon, which is facing a severe economic and political crisis, has seen tensions escalate with almost daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel following the outbreak of the Gaza war triggered by the October 7 attack on Israel.

Recently, Hezbollah reported the deaths of two of its members, coinciding with a ramp-up in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. This came after an assault by the Iran-supported group left 14 Israeli soldiers wounded.

The stakes in the region rose sharply after Tehran initiated a direct military attack on Israel last Saturday in response to what many believe was an Israeli airstrike on April 1 targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Politically, Lebanon has been without a president for over a year due to the inability of its divided political factions to agree on a successor after the term of former President Michel Aoun ended.

The country, which once was a French colony and is now marked by a diverse religious landscape, is also struggling through a severe economic downturn.

Since 2021, Mikati has served as prime minister of a caretaker government with restricted powers.

Army Chief Joseph Aoun, who is not related to the former president, is regarded as a unifying figure capable of navigating the country’s complex political landscape.

Macron has made efforts in recent years to assist Lebanon in overcoming its challenges, including two visits aimed at recovery support, and has designated the former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to continue these efforts in 2023.