My remarks at the dinner I hosted in honor of the French President’s Special Envoy to Lebanon, Jacques de Lajugie, and the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, dear friends,

It is our pleasure to welcome you this evening to this gathering in honor of the French President’s Special Envoy to Lebanon, Jacques de Lajugie, and the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro.

We are deeply grateful for their presence and for the enduring friendship and unwavering support that France continues to offer Lebanon at this critical and decisive juncture.

France has always stood by Lebanon—in times of hardship as well as in times of hope. France’s commitment to Lebanon’s economic recovery, reform, and sovereignty remains a cornerstone of the international community’s engagement with our country and a testament to the deep historical and human bonds that unite our two peoples.

Tonight’s discussion is not only about the reforms Lebanon must implement, but also about what these reforms truly mean. Reform is not merely an economic matter—it is a matter of sovereignty. It is about restoring the authority of the state, rebuilding its institutions, and, above all, restoring trust between the Lebanese people and their government.

To move forward, the proposed reforms include the following:

Financial reforms, including restructuring the banking and financial sectors and conducting a transparent forensic audit to identify the actual financial losses in the banking and public sectors.

Achieving debt sustainability and restoring financial credibility through responsible policies and constructive cooperation with the International Monetary Fund. A credible agreement with the Fund remains essential to restoring confidence, stabilizing the economy, and unlocking international support.

Combating the cash-based economy and the informal sector, both of which fuel corruption and weaken government oversight.

Restructuring the public sector to make it more efficient, transparent, and service-oriented, ensuring that it serves citizens rather than placing additional burdens on them.

Rebuilding Lebanon’s essential utilities—electricity, water, and telecommunications—to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable public services. Reforming and modernizing these sectors is crucial to restoring economic productivity and public confidence.

Reforming and revitalizing state-owned enterprises so that they operate according to the principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. These institutions must serve the public interest, not private or political interests, and become engines of growth rather than burdens on the treasury.

Rebuilding critical infrastructure—from transport networks and energy systems to waste management facilities—in ways that strengthen resilience, environmental responsibility, and regional integration.

Enforcing full transparency and securing the borders to stop smuggling and safeguard state revenues.

Addressing the very core of Lebanese sovereignty: ensuring that the state has the exclusive authority over all arms.

Reform, accountability, effective political governance, and genuine independence cannot be achieved as long as weapons remain outside the authority of the Lebanese state.

Disarming all militias—Hezbollah, Palestinian factions, and others—is not a political option; it is a national necessity. A sovereign state cannot coexist with multiple centers of power, and the rule of law cannot flourish while weapons remain in the hands of actors operating outside the law.

Completing the demarcation of Lebanon’s borders with Israel, Syria, and Cyprus to safeguard sovereignty, stability, and the territorial integrity of the Republic.

Ensuring that parliamentary elections are held on schedule and guaranteeing the participation of Lebanese expatriates, who are a lifeline for Lebanon.

Taken together, these political, financial, structural, military, and security reforms represent a single vision: a sovereign Lebanon governed exclusively by its legitimate institutions and accountable only to its citizens, not to any other party.

Mr. de Lajugie, Ambassador Magro,

Your presence here this evening embodies the enduring partnership between Lebanon and France—a partnership built on shared values, mutual respect, and a shared belief that Lebanon’s recovery is both possible and urgent.

Let this evening serve as a reminder that dialogue, cooperation, and courage are the true instruments of reform and sustainable political change.

Together, we can help Lebanon rise again—not as a divided state, but as a united nation, sovereign in its authority, transparent in its governance, and confident in its future.

Thank you, and once again, welcome.