France seeks to reclaim influence in Lebanon as US role overshadows its own

French special envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian is due in Beirut on Wednesday as Paris seeks to revive its diminished diplomatic role in the Middle Eastern nation, according to analysts.

During meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, discussions are expected to focus on aid for communities hit hard by Lebanon’s economic crisis, the Israeli invasion and occupation of one-fifth of its territory, and the future of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) — a mission France is deeply involved in and whose mandate expires this year.

Israel launched heavy airstrikes and occupied southern Lebanon beginning March, after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli strike on Tehran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Although Israel and Lebanon reached a U.S.-brokered cease-fire on April 16, daily attacks continue inside Lebanon. More than 3,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced.

On Monday, as U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have intervened to prevent imminent Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Trump — a sign Paris still seeks to play a role in shaping diplomatic efforts.

Yet analysts say France is also wary of excessive U.S. interference in Lebanon and is trying to reassert its position in a country where colonial legacy and political interests have long given Paris a strategic foothold in the Middle East. With influence eroding, especially over the uncertain future of UNIFIL, France is seeking to preserve its sway in Lebanon.

What is the basis of France-Lebanon ties?

France-Lebanon relations date back centuries. The colonial bond stems from a cultural and political alliance with Lebanon’s Christian community. The French Mandate from 1920 to 1943 defined Lebanon’s borders, introduced a constitutional system, and cemented French cultural influence in this Mediterranean nation. Even after independence, Beirut remained a Francophone hub, nicknamed the “Paris of the Middle East.” French is still widely spoken, especially among Christian communities.

After the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, France demonstrated its influence when President Macron visited the devastated capital shortly after and provided a large aid package, signaling a desire to position itself as Lebanon’s most active European partner.

But like many former colonial powers, France’s interests in Lebanon are also strategic. Analyst Souhayb Jawhar said: “From Paris’s perspective, Lebanon is a strategic springboard” allowing France to maintain influence across the Arab Mashreq and Eastern Mediterranean while engaging on issues from Syria and migration to energy and Eurasian relations. This interest is also tied to preserving French influence, as Paris wants to prevent the collapse of Lebanese state institutions, fearing the vacuum could be filled by rival powers. Economic interests are also at play, with TotalEnergies involved in gas exploration off Lebanon’s coast and CMA CGM viewing Beirut port as part of a French logistics network spanning the Mediterranean. Still, France’s role remains controversial, as factions aligned with Hezbollah and Iran see its involvement as an extension of Western influence.

Is France being overshadowed by the U.S. in Lebanon?

Karim Safieddine, a fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said Paris is closely monitoring any “U.S. encroachment,” which remains “a concern for France.” France is “always wary” of confrontation in Lebanon that could harm its regional ties, especially under Trump. He said: “They don’t like radical approaches to Lebanon policy; they prefer conventional approaches that maintain the status quo.”

The expanding U.S. role in Lebanon is evident as Washington not only mediates Lebanon-Israel talks. In a rare move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally intervened to reject calls by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem to topple the government. Trump also said he spoke with Hezbollah representatives, though it is unclear if it was through intermediaries — an unprecedented step for a U.S. president, as Hezbollah is designated a terrorist group.

Amid the surge in U.S. activity in Lebanon, France is increasingly marginalized, especially since the November 2024 cease-fire brokered by the U.S., which explicitly put Washington as the sponsor of Lebanon-Israel negotiations. Despite the deal, Israel continued strikes on Lebanon, with over 10,000 violations recorded by the UN. Analyst Khalil Helou explained that France-Israel relations have deteriorated due to the wars in Gaza and southern Lebanon. “In reality, France has no leverage with Israel to push for a cease-fire,” he said.

Jawhar said there is “genuine French concern about the decline of influence in Lebanon in recent years.” He stressed: “French policymakers realize that most major initiatives on Lebanon’s future pass through Washington or Gulf capitals, while France’s role is nearly that of a partner rather than a leader.” Paris is not seeking to compete with Washington but to prevent being completely shut out of the Lebanon file.

How is France maintaining influence in Lebanon?

One way is through humanitarian aid. On May 11, the French Foreign Ministry announced it had provided €17 million (US$19.8 million) “to meet the needs of displaced people.” But analysts say one of France’s most important levers is the UNIFIL peacekeeping force. France has held a leadership role in UNIFIL since its creation in 1978 and sees its presence in southern Lebanon as a key part of its regional influence. According to Helou, French officials are exploring options for a multinational force to succeed UNIFIL so Paris can retain a security role. This is one of the issues Le Drian will raise during his visit. France also maintains long-standing support for the Lebanese army, an institution Paris sees as central to preventing state collapse.

Jawhar emphasized that France’s approach relies more on soft power than hard power: “In practice, France relies mainly on soft diplomacy to preserve influence. They understand that hard-power tools are limited and that their ability to exert influence is tied to the political, economic, and cultural networks built over decades.”