Why is France so invested in the future of Lebanon?

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s special envoy for Lebanon, is to arrive in Beirut on Wednesday as Paris seeks to restore its flagging diplomatic role in the country, experts say. When the former French foreign minister meets President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, talks are expected to focus on continued aid for communities badly affected by Lebanon’s economic collapse, Israel’s invasion and occupation of one-fifth of the country, and the future of the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, which France is deeply involved in and whose mandate is due to end this year. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list Israel renewed heavy strikes and its occupation of southern Lebanon in early March after Iran-backed Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Despite Israel and Lebanon agreeing to a United States-brokered cessation of hostilities on April 16, daily attacks have continued in Lebanon. More than 3,000 people have been killed, and more than one million have been forced from their homes. On Monday when US President Donald Trump reportedly intervened to prevent imminent Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Trump – a sign that Paris is still seeking a role in shaping diplomatic efforts. …