France deploys military vessel near Lebanon amid rising tensions, prepared for possible evacuations.

According to information published by Le Figaro on September 9, 2024, France has deployed a military vessel to the eastern Mediterranean near Lebanon as a precautionary measure, ready to assist in the potential evacuation of French citizens amid rising tensions in the region.
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French Navy's Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Tonnerre. (Picture source: French MoD)

The ship, an amphibious helicopter carrier, departed from Toulon and is expected to reach its destination in about five to six days. This mobilization is not directly tied to an immediate evacuation but rather serves as a precautionary step in light of the volatile security situation in Lebanon and the broader Middle East.

France Lebanon relations

France's relationship with Lebanon, particularly through naval and defense ties, is rooted in a deep historical connection that dates back to the period when Lebanon was a French protectorate after World War I. This enduring relationship continues to shape France's diplomatic and military engagements in the region, especially in times of crisis.

One of the key aspects of the relationship today involves France’s ongoing support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), particularly in securing Lebanon’s maritime borders and reinforcing its naval capabilities. This support is critical as Lebanon faces a range of security challenges, including tensions with Israel, the presence of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and the risk of smuggling and illegal migration through its waters.

France has been instrumental in helping to modernize the Lebanese Navy, providing training and equipment to enhance its operational readiness. Notably, Lebanon is developing a more robust naval base in Beirut, part of a broader effort to strengthen its maritime security in light of future oil and gas exploration off its coast. French naval forces have also conducted joint exercises with the Lebanese Navy, further enhancing its ability to secure territorial waters and respond to asymmetric threats such as terrorism, piracy, and smuggling​.

In addition to military aid, France has played a significant diplomatic role in Lebanon. Amid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah tensions, France has proposed several initiatives to de-escalate the situation along the Lebanon-Israel border. In 2024, Paris put forward a plan a ceasefire and the deployment of Lebanese troops to stabilize the southern border. This proposal, although fraught with political obstacles, reflects France’s broader strategy of supporting Lebanese sovereignty and preventing further escalation that could destabilize the entire region​.

Moreover, France has remained committed to aiding Lebanon in recovering from the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion. French engineering firms are involved in efforts to rebuild the port's infrastructure, with the goal of reviving Beirut’s role as a key economic hub. This reconstruction effort is part of a larger French initiative to help Lebanon overcome its prolonged political and economic crises, ensuring the country’s resilience and ability to maintain its territorial integrity.