I spoke with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, as well as with the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam. The mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL, in which France is fully engaged, was just renewed unanimously. This is an important signal, which we welcome. I commended the courageous decisions taken by the Lebanese executive to restore the state’s monopoly on the use of force. I encourage the Lebanese government to adopt the plan that will be presented to the cabinet for that purpose. My Personal Envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, will travel to Lebanon to work hand in hand with the authorities on our priorities as soon as the plan is adopted. The complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and an end to all violations of Lebanese sovereignty are essential conditions for implementing this plan. France has consistently stated its readiness to play a role in the handover of the remaining positions still occupied by Israel. Lebanon’s security and sovereignty must rest solely in the hands of the Lebanese authorities. I reaffirmed to the President and the Prime Minister our determination to convene, by the end of the year, two conferences: the first in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces—the pillar of the country’s sovereignty—and the second for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction. Security restored, sovereignty affirmed, prosperity rebuilt: this is the future we want for Lebanon, true to the enduring strength of its cedars.