Lebanon: Stéphane Séjourné went to Beirut to call for calm

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Ines Gil / Credits: Magali Cohen / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP

Outgoing Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné met with several Lebanese political leaders with the main objective of de-escalation in the region. Indeed, concerns are growing about an extension of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

De-escalation in the region is the ambitious agenda of Stéphane Séjourné’s visit to Lebanon. The head of French diplomacy met with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, whose Amal party went to Hezbollah, then the outgoing Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, before meeting with his counterpart Abdallah BouHabib.

Gaza at the center of discussions

France is trying to re-impose its voice in the Middle East, at a time when Paris is increasingly inaudible. During his visit, Stéphane Séjourné claimed to bring a very simple message of de-escalation to the Lebanese authorities, believing that a ceasefire in Gaza was necessary to guarantee peace in the region.

With this statement, France aligns itself with its American ally. Washington recently recognized that the return to calm on the Lebanese border could only be achieved with a ceasefire in Gaza. This Wednesday, the American special envoy to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, was also visiting Beirut.

A new round of talks resumed Thursday between Israel and Hamas, as fears of a regional escalation grow.

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