French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the Elysee Palace at a start of a state visit in Paris, France, on Monday. (Reuters)

Macron, Aoun discuss terrorism, Syrian crisis

Lebanon's President says Syrian refugees must return home

26 September 2017   (Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Crowds of Lebanese expatriates in France gathered today at Champs-Elysées Avenue in Paris to welcome President Michel Aoun.

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s policy of disassociation from regional conflicts is the best way to maintain the country’s stability and sovereignty, French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun in Paris.

“In order to solve the problem of displaced people and terrorists, and to be able to provide a dignified future for the people of the region, we need a political solution… to the Syrian crisis,” Macron said.

 He expressed hope that “together, in the coming weeks, we’ll be able to redesign a contact group and work together with partners in the region.”

Paris is keen on Lebanon’s unity, integrity and stability, Macron said at a joint press conference.

“Lebanon faces terrorism, as is the case in Europe. I commend the efforts of the Lebanese Army and its courage in fighting terrorism,” he added.

Macron distanced himself from his counterpart's viewpoint, saying that the absence of a political solution in Syria prevents refugees from returning back home permanently.

 France will strengthen its support for Lebanon in its fight against terrorism, Macron said, adding: “France’s goal is to confront the dangers that undermine peace in Lebanon by strengthening the capabilities of the army so the Lebanese government can take control of the entire territory.”

Lebanon must remain a model of pluralism, tolerance and democracy, he said, promising to work on “organizing a donor conference for investors to help Lebanon and to relaunch the economy.”

Macron added: “We’re working together to develop a road map… aimed at promoting the French language and French culture in Lebanon in education, culture, newspapers, media and art.”

Lebanon's president says Syrian refugees must return home

The Lebanese President, General Michel Aoun, stressed that "Lebanon will not allow the naturalization at any cost," stressing that "endangering our homeland is a suicide operation for everyone.

President  Aoun says he wants some 1.5 million Syrian refugees living in his country to henceforth start returning to their homes, voluntarily or not.

President Michel Aoun, in a state visit to France, said Monday that U.N. assistance given to aid Syrian refugees in "camps of misery" in Lebanon would be better used to return them to their country "from now on."

"We don't want to wait for their voluntary return," Aoun insisted, speaking at the Elysee Palace alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

On the issue of displaced Syrians, Aoun said “We’ve confirmed that those people don’t have refugee status and their presence in Lebanon is facing difficulties, despite our support for them.”

Aoun said that most of the Syrian regions from which the refugees hail are "now secure."

Aoun said he had agreed with Macron to strengthen bilateral relations at various levels, adding: “France supports the Lebanese Army, which has achieved victory over terrorism.”

He said the two leaders discussed the Syrian and Palestinian crises. Aoun also hailed France’s role in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Brigitte Macron posed with Nadia Aoun and daughters Claudine and Chantal

The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, started a state visit to France from the Monument of Martyrs in Paris Square at the Arc de Triomphe. He was accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Nadia Chami Aoun and members of the official Lebanese delegation. President Aoun was received by HE Florence Barley the French Minister of Defense and Armed Forces, General Bruno Le Roy Paris Military Governor and torch guards who are veterans of wars outside France and a number of political and elected officials.

After playing the Lebanese and French anthems by the French Republican Guard, President Aoun presented a group of French honor guard before putting a wreath on the martyrs' monument. And then they played the tune of the dead and martyrs and stood a minute of silence for the souls of martyrs. Then President Aoun presented to Minister Barley the members of the Lebanese official delegation before heading again to the Martyrs' Monument where the Lebanese and French anthems were played. At the end of the concert they played the unknown soldier's tune.

Crowds of Lebanese living in France gathered on both sides of the Champs-Elysées and welcomed the president, raising the Lebanese flags and calling for the life of President Aoun and Lebanon. Their cheers rose when President Aoun arrived in front of the Arc de Triomphe waving flags, chanting "God, Lebanon and the president only". They chanted national songs and others for President Aoun along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées.

After that, everyone joined the official parade, surrounded by 35 cyclists and 150 French Guard Chevalier, and moved to the Elysee Palace, across the Champs-Elysées Avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to the Elysee Palace and the Montaigne intersection, where Lebanese and French flags were on both sides of the road.

Delegation

President Aoun was accompanied by an official delegation including Gebran Bassil the Foreign and Expatriate Minister, Pierre Raffoul State Secretary for the Presidency of the Republic, Rami Adwan the Lebanese Ambassador to France and Ambassador Ghadi Khoury Director of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(This article edited by the Middle East Times Int'l)