In a statement, the embassy confirmed that the head of the Armed Forces will arrive in this nation in the coming hours to inspect the French battalion operating within the international contingent in the southern zone.

Lecornu will hold talks at the Unifil headquarters in Naqoura with the head of Mission Aroldo Lazaro, and will then move to the French headquarters in Deir Kiva to inspect the land line (called the Blue Line) drawn by the United Nations to divide Lebanon and Israel.

In the context of his stay, the Minister will hold talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Maurice Salim, as well as with the Commander of the Army, Joseph Aoun, and the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.

He will also visit the site of the Beirut Port explosion in August 2020 to see the actions carried out by the Lebanese army, in close collaboration with French soldiers.

Since 1978, French troops have been present in Lebanon as one of the main contributors to Unifil with nearly 700 soldiers currently deployed in the framework of Operation Daman, the statement said.

Under Resolution 1701 of August 11, 2006, the UN peacekeeping command oversees the cessation of hostilities and assists the Lebanese government in securing its borders and other points to prevent the entry without its consent of arms or related material.

ef/arm/lam/yma