France’s elusive role in Lebanon: Initiatives, challenges, and the US factor

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Lebanon 26-03-2026 | 16:24

France’s elusive role in Lebanon: Initiatives, challenges, and the US factor

From historic missions to modern diplomacy, French efforts to stabilize Lebanon face shifting alliances, rising American influence, and the complex realities of Hezbollah and regional tensions. 
Wajdi Al Aridi
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France’s elusive role in Lebanon: Initiatives, challenges, and the US factor
Israeli strike on Kfar Remmane in southern Lebanon (AFP).
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Whenever a French initiative emerges, it tends to disappear or “evaporate” due to various circumstances and considerations. Looking back at the history of French initiatives in Lebanon, and the activity of envoys in 1975 when the famous French envoy Couve de Murville arrived, it becomes clear that the movements of that era had their role and significance. However, the situation has drastically changed, and recent initiatives since envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian took on the Lebanese file have not achieved much success, as the American role now dominates the Lebanese scene, perhaps even on a global scale.

 

 

But what about the latest initiative, as communications continue between President Emmanuel Macron and the three presidents, noting that there are no signs or indications of any positive change?

 

 

It is reported that Paris has changed its stance, as has the European Union, toward Iran and Hezbollah recently, as confirmed by the meetings of Kataeb Party leader, MP Sami Gemayel, in Europe—particularly his participation in the European People's Party conference, where his intervention resonated with European officials due to his account of what Lebanon is undergoing at this stage.

 

 

Among the key points during the visit, Gemayel called for a decisive European stance supporting the Lebanese state, President Joseph Aoun, and the government in dismantling Hezbollah’s military structure.

 

He laid out four main priorities, most notably the need for genuine support for the Lebanese army, criticizing the large disparity between international aid for Ukraine and the limited support for Lebanon’s military. He warned that Iranian influence threatens not only Lebanon but also the wider region and Europe, highlighting Hezbollah's capabilities, which may even reach European countries such as Cyprus.

 

 

Chairman of the Lebanese-French Parliamentary Relations Committee, MP Simon Abi Ramia, told Annahar that “there are thoughts, not an initiative, meaning they are ‘trying to see what they can do,’ especially with the Americans, to pressure Israel and prevent a ground occupation of the south, and then how to support the army.” He affirmed the continuation of the idea of supporting the army and holding the conference, but stressed that conditions for its success must be ensured, along with many ideas that have not yet crystallized.

 

He concludes that contact is ongoing with the American administration for this purpose, “considering it the only one capable of influencing Israel. French-Israeli relations are not at their best, yet there is constant communication with the American administration to assist Lebanon in this area.”

 

 

Former MP Fares Said states: “Regardless of the results achieved by the French role, we must first acknowledge that France is the only state genuinely interested in Lebanese affairs, repeatedly taking initiatives in an attempt to save it. I believe its failure to secure results as we desire—and as it desires—is due to President Macron's recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN in September 2025, which worsened French-Israeli relations and led to attempts to exclude France from the mechanism, ultimately causing the failure of any initiative by Paris.”

 

Said concludes, “France is a friendly state, and it is the only one that has historically been genuinely interested in Lebanon, given the strong ties that unite it with our country."

 

Tags
Lebanon ، Israel ، America ، Iran ، France