Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed bin Salman call for a “quick end to the political vacancy” in Lebanon

The absence of a president for eight months, “remains the major obstacle to a resolution of the severe socio-economic crisis” of the country, underlines the Elysée, Friday evening, at the end of the meeting between the head of the State and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

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Mohammed bin Salman and Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, June 16, 2023. (IBRAHIM EZZAT / NURPHOTO / AFP)

Emmanuel Macron and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, “recalled the need to quickly put an end to the institutional political vacancy in Lebanon”, announced the Elysée, on the evening of Friday, June 16, after a meeting between the two leaders. The absence of a president for eight months “remains the major obstacle to a resolution of the severe socio-economic crisis” of the country, emphasizes the French presidency.

Lebanon’s parliament failed Wednesday, for the twelfth time, to elect a president, and the standoff between the powerful pro-Iranian Hezbollah and its adversaries heightens the risk of a prolonged vacancy in the country. In full economic collapse, Lebanon is led by a resigning government with reduced powers.

“Efforts” for “lasting appeasement”

The President of the Republic and the Saudi Prince “also recalled their shared commitment to security and stability in the Near and Middle East and expressed their desire to continue their joint efforts in favor of a lasting easing of tensions”. Bilaterally, they intend “develop and deepen the partnership between the two countries”.

France is thus disposed “to support Saudi Arabia in strengthening its defense capabilities” and Emmanuel Macron recalled “the desire of French companies to continue to support Saudi Arabia in the implementation of its ambitious Vision 2030”, a vast program of reforms. The President of the Republic thus highlighted “the recognized know-how of French companies, particularly in terms of energy transition, transport, health and new technologies”.


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