France struggles to find its footing, play role in Lebanon-Israel crisis

PARIS — Personally engaged in the international campaign to prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, French President Emmanuel Macron has been communicating with Middle Eastern leaders and reiterating his commitment to the Lebanese people four years after the explosions at the port of Beirut.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and British Defense Secretary John Healey traveled to Beirut shortly after the killing of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr July 30 and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has not traveled to the Lebanese capital yet as his government resigned last month, political analysts told Al-Monitor. French Prime Minister Gabriel Atal resigned on July 16 after Macron's party failed in the parliamentary elections held on June 30 and July 7. Although the French president is responsible for nominating the prime minister, Macron announced that he would wait until after the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris next week to make his decision.

Still, against the backdrop of the escalating tensions, the French Foreign Ministry has not ruled out such a visit, a French diplomat told Al-Monitor. 

Since the two assassinations, Macron spoke over the phone with Jordan's King Abdullah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in an effort to pressure both Hezbollah and Iran to avoid further escalation.