Beyond the Macron-Jumblatt Meeting... Southern Arrangements and Lebanon’s Future in the Decision-Making دائرة

Informed sources told MTV that the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt addressed thorny Lebanese issues, foremost among them the political, economic, and financial situation, alongside diplomatic efforts aimed at opening a window for a solution and pulling Lebanon out of its accumulated crises.

The sources explained that the discussion dealt extensively with developments in southern Lebanon and the future of the international presence in the region in the coming phase, particularly amid ongoing deliberations over the nature of the role that may be shaped after the end of the UNIFIL mission.

They indicated that Macron and Jumblatt discussed the possibility of forming a new international framework involving French, Italian, and Spanish participation alongside other countries, within the context of security and political arrangements for the next phase.

The two sides also stressed, according to the sources, the importance of intensifying efforts and diplomatic pressure to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and the need to complete the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, in a way that would help consolidate stability and protect the course of the anticipated political solutions.