French Minister of Armed Forces sends message of support for LAF

Lebanon's Caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Selim hosted France's Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, in the presence of French Ambassador to Lebanon, Anne Grillo, and his accompanying delegation.  

During the meeting, the pair discussed the historical relations between the two countries, affirming the continuous French support for the Lebanese Armed Forces.  

The French Minister stressed the importance of electing a new president while revealing France's "continued support for Lebanon." He also focused on the issue of illegal immigration across the Mediterranean, stating the importance of combatting it.  

Lecornu, who was inspecting the French battalion operating within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 1978, praised the cooperation between the army and the battalion.  

The French Minister reaffirmed the interests that President Emmanuel Macron attached to the situation in Lebanon and announced a mandate from Macron to put together a military cooperation program between both countries and develop it to increase the capabilities of the Lebanese army.  

In turn, Selim thanked France's stance towards Lebanon in times of crisis, and its continuous support for the Lebanese army, pointing out the achievements of the military in combatting terrorism and illegal immigration across the Mediterranean.