In a message on Twitter, Lecornu also honored the 58 paratroopers who lost their lives on Lebanese soil in connection with the 40th anniversary of the attack on the Drakkar, a French military headquarters on Levantine soil.
During a visit to that nation, the minister celebrated the end of the year with his country’s troops, affiliated with the United Nations Provisional Force (Unifil) operating in the southern zone.
In the microblogging network mentioned above, Lecornu reiterated the French battalion’s ability to conduct important peacekeeping operations in the UN mission.
As the French embassy in Beirut announced, the minister will hold talks with his Lebanese counterpart Maurice Salim, the army commander Joseph Aoun and the speaker of the parliament Nabih Berri.
He will also visit the site of the Beirut port explosion in August 2020 to review the actions of the Lebanese Navy in close cooperation with French soldiers.
Since 1978, French troops have been in Lebanon as one of the main contributors to Unifil, with currently around 700 troops as part of Operation Daman.
In accordance with Resolution 1701 of August 11, 2006, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force oversees the cessation of hostilities and assists the Lebanese government in securing its borders and other points to prevent the entry of weapons or related materials without its consent.
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