ALBAWABA- French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut on Friday for a 12-hour visit, marking a significant step in supporting Lebanon’s newly ele

President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Beirut on Friday for a one-day official visit. Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the French ambassador welcomed them at the airport.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut Friday morning to meet new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, an AFP journalist saw.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Israel to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, in line with a ceasefire agreement made last year. During his visit to Beirut, he supported strengthening Lebanon's military and assured France’s backing for their efforts in southern territories.

We will intensify our support for recovery and reconstruction across Lebanon,” Guterres affirmed, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the United Nations.

BEIRUT (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel on Friday to accelerate its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, as a deadline nears for the pullout under the terms of a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah last year.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday a "more hopeful" future awaits Lebanon after meeting its new leaders in a two-day visit ahead of a deadline for implementing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

The over $117 million in security assistance will help Lebanon support its armed and internal security forces.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Lebanon to express support for the newly elected leadership and to advocate

Israel’s full Cabinet is meeting Friday evening on the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants along with Palestinian prisoners