French President Emmanuel Macron received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris as he made his first state visit to a European country since taking office to break the country's long political deadlock.
They discussed the fragile US and French-backed ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, just hours after air strikes hit Beirut.
During the meeting, Mr Macron also took a phone call with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara to discuss the recent security clashes on the Syrian-Lebanese border between the newly formed Syrian army and Hezbollah, as well as the return of Syrian refugees after the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad. Lebanon and Syria's defence ministers also met in Riyadh on Friday to discuss border security.
Mr Macron praised the "great clarity" from the Syrian interim president in "assuring the security of Lebanon’s borders". France offered to mediate and "facilitate" in any exchanges with regards to the border, as well as surveillance and monitoring support to "fight against traffickers and the movement of arms".
As Lebanon and Syria signed a deal on border demarcation in Riyadh, France would "play its role in accompanying and helping", through its knowledge of the area's history, Mr Macron said.
The leaders were joined at the Elysee by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss "security, connectivity and energy" issues in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Among these issues, is the "safe and voluntary return" home of Syrian refugees, and the five leaders were expected to release a joint statement on Friday.
Air strikes hit Beirut
Shortly before the meeting, Israeli warplanes struck Lebanon's capital following an Israeli eviction order, in the first attack on the capital since the ceasefire came into place, Lebanese state media reported.
The assault came after rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel earlier in the day. "Israeli warplanes struck the Hadath neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said. Israel's military has yet to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory and is conducting near-daily air strikes.
Mr Macron condemned the "unacceptable" morning air strikes in Beirut, calling for the Israeli military to withdraw from Lebanon "as soon as possible". He expressed his solidarity with the people of Beirut who were "subjected to strikes in violation of the ceasefire agreement."
He praised the "real progress" that the Lebanese army had made in establishing its control of southern Lebanon and the government's efforts in "establishing a monopoly over arms".
"Today’s air strikes, the disrespect of the ceasefire were unilateral, they betray a promise and play into Hezbollah’s hands," he said, at a joint press conference with Mr Aoun.
"We believe in your agenda of sovereignty. We are by your side to ensure the success of your mandate," Mr Macron told the Lebanese President in a warm exchange.
Mr Aoun described the air strikes as a "heinous attempt to draw Lebanon back into this tornado of violence", and called on Paris and Washington to "act quickly" to protect the ceasefire agreement.
Lebanese authorities have reported more than 1,250 breaches of the ceasefire, in which 100 people have been killed and 330 wounded.
Economic prosperity
The dialogue between Mr Macron and Mr Aoun was intended to show France’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and economic prosperity as it emerges from war and years of financial collapse, the Elysee Palace said. More meetings to help plan and implement Lebanon’s economic reforms are expected to take place in Washington in late April.
The pair discussed the Lebanese government’s plans for economic reforms to lift the country out of a financial crisis, now in its fifth year, and the support that the international community could bring to carry out a recovery programme quickly.
Mr Aoun was elected as President in January, and his new government faces the challenge of rebuilding the country after years of economic crisis and a year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah.
This is Mr Aoun’s second state visit, after Riyadh, and is symbolic of the historic "strong friendship" between the two nations and the French President’s "unrelenting support", the palace said.
After the meeting, Mr Aoun said: "Lebanon currently holds three unprecedented world records, the largest number of displaced people, the economic crisis, and the largest proportion of unstable borders."
Turning to Mr Macron, he said: "We are asking for your help in a laborious enterprise."
He said the "first steps" to get out of the financial crisis had been made in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, and that proposed reforms on banking secrecy laws in Lebanon would soon been put through to Lebanese parliament.
A French delegation is expected to travel to Lebanon in the coming weeks to support the Lebanese courts in judicial reforms, Mr Macron said. France will also send industry experts and companies to support Lebanon's energy security.
"Lebanon needs a performing energy sector that makes it less vulnerable to regional stability, and kick-starts its economy, its industry and attracts investors. France is ready to send its expertise and all of its partners to contribute to grand strategic projects in this sector," Mr Macron said.
Mr Macron announced earlier this year that Paris will host an aid conference for Lebanon's recovery.
