Paris: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the €š¬…¡¬°lys©e Palace ahead of the opening of the preparatory meeting for the conference aimed at supporting the Lebanese Army and security forces as part of the Aqaba initiative.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, President Aoun expressed gratitude to President Macron for France's support for Lebanon, highlighting Macron's personal involvement and commitment to bolstering Lebanon's state authority and sovereignty. The preparatory meeting for the international conference, organized within the framework of the Aqaba Process initiated by Jordanian King Abdullah II, underscores this support.

The discussions between the two leaders covered the situation in Lebanon amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages and towns. President Aoun briefed President Macron on developments in southern Lebanon and the post-UNIFIL phase, thanking him for the initiative launched with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding post-UNIFIL arrangements.

The talks also touched on progress at the UN Security Council concerning the future international presence in southern Lebanon, aimed at preventing a vacuum following UNIFIL's mandate's conclusion. President Aoun emphasized the need for a reconstruction conference proposed by President Macron, alongside the conference supporting the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.

Further discussions included strengthening cooperation in areas such as the economy and energy, as well as resuming oil and gas exploration in Lebanon's offshore blocks. The Francophonie file and preparations for the upcoming Francophonie Summit in Cambodia were also discussed.

Both presidents agreed to maintain continuous contact to monitor developments and are scheduled to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II at noon Beirut time at Les Invalides for the opening of the preparatory meeting supporting the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.