Lebanese President welcomes French post-Unifil talks on visit to Paris

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed a French-Italian initiative to establish a post-Unifil mission in southern Lebanon, amid concerns over a possible Israeli offensive. The Lebanese President met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where they were joined by Jordan's King Abdullah II. The Aqaba framework, initiated in 2015 by King Abdullah, serves to enhance regional military and security cooperation.

French President Macron held separate discussions with Aoun and Abdullah, before the three leaders commenced the military gathering at the Invalides military complex in Paris. The talks focused on the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, with US-brokered diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon currently stalled. A ceasefire signed in June is at risk, as Israel has hardened its stance ahead of elections in October.

A defense agreement was signed separately between Paris and Amman, though details were not disclosed. The leaders expressed their commitment to fostering stability in Lebanon and the region. Italy and France are spearheading efforts to replace Unifil, which is set to withdraw from southern Lebanon after five decades of deployment.

While Unifil functions as an observation mission and records security breaches, both Israel and Lebanon have criticized it. An estimated 10 EU nations are prepared to contribute to a new military and civilian mission to advise and train the Lebanese Armed Forces. Lebanese President Aoun stated that Lebanon is open to any force that could replace Unifil to prevent a security vacuum and is seeking a security agreement with Israel to end the longstanding state of hostilities between the two nations, dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.