According to the publication, the head of the Lebanese Government will arrive in Paris on Friday accompanied by Army commander Joseph Aoun amid internal and regional tensions.

The meeting will take place at a time when Lebanon is facing a severe political and economic crisis and the risk of an escalation in the Middle East following Iran’s response to Israel’s attack on the Islamic Republic consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria.

Continuing his diplomatic contacts, Mikati will arrive in the French capital amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon and the retaliation of the Lebanese resistance (Hezbollah) against attacks on civilians and in support of Gaza.

In early February, France’s Minister of European and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, called in Beirut for calm in southern Lebanon and a halt to military operations.

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