France, UN agree on need for "reinforced Lebanese state"

PARIS, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- France and the United Nations are in agreement on the importance of reinforcing the State of Lebanon and are eager to cooperate to achieve this objective, an official statement said on Thursday.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met late Wednesday here with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, to discuss the situation and the current challenges Lebanon is facing, particularly because of the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
"Le Drian recalled to his interlocutor his attachment to the stability and security of Lebanon in the face of the challenges it is encountering, and he underlined (France's) commitment to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for this reason," the French Foreign Ministry indicated.
Le Drian also stressed the stronger commitment France is making to Lebanon in light of the visit here late September of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who received both financial and other guarantees from French leader Emmanuel Macron.
These guarantees included more funds in the form of grants and loans but also a promise to continue supporting the consolidation of the Lebanese army. Macron additional said he would organise an "international investor conference" to help bolster the Lebanese economy.
France's chief diplomat also engaged "to work closely" with the United Nations on the Lebanese question and both "agreed on the importance of reinforcing the Lebanese State," the statement noted. (end) jk.sd