French Ambassador Hervé Magro congratulated the Lebanese people on the occasion of the year 2026, expressing his best wishes for health and happiness.
Magro extended his warm congratulations, saying: “My wife and I extend to you our warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the New Year 2026. We wish you health and happiness, and we hope that Lebanon will regain its full sovereignty and embark once again on the path of prosperity. You know that you can count on France’s unwavering support.”
He pointed out that the year 2025 witnessed many developments, including remarkable progress, especially in the election of a president of the republic and the formation of an effective representative government, considering that the beginning of the year was a glimmer of hope, but the accumulated challenges as a result of years of crises hindered the achievement of progress at the required speed.
He added: “Let’s not be mistaken, hope still exists, and it only needs to be revived, as you have shown to the whole world during the very successful visit of Pope Laun XIV.”
The French ambassador also drew attention to the fact that the road is still long, starting with financial and judicial reform and ending with administrative reform, which are long-awaited reforms, stressing that the Lebanese constantly express to him their annoyance with these issues, in addition to the real concerns related to the security situation at the local and regional levels.
He continued: “During all these trials, you have shown once again, my dear Lebanese friends, an exemplary attachment to your homeland, and you have remained united despite everything. Some today refuse to use the term resilience, and we should rather talk about courage, given your ability to face adversity.”
He stressed that the time has come for Lebanon to regain its full place in the Middle East and on the shores of the Mediterranean, stressing that France has stood by Lebanon in various difficult times, whether through bilateral cooperation in the fields of health, education, water, and food security, or through the humanitarian and personal ties that embody the depth of relations between the two peoples.
He also highlighted the French diplomatic role in mobilizing political support in cooperation with regional and international partners to find lasting solutions to the region’s crises, in addition to military support, especially through the participation of individuals working in UNIFIL forces, and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in carrying out its mission of defending Lebanon and preserving its sovereignty, and in particular through restricting weapons.
He said: “France stands by you, and will remain so in 2026 and beyond, with the same firm and unwavering commitment, which may sometimes be hidden, but it is permanent and continuous.”
Magro concluded his message by saying: “A year full of entitlements looms on the horizon, and these entitlements, as much as they represent challenges, constitute promising opportunities for your country and for you personally. We work together to make the most of these opportunities in the interest of our two friendly peoples. I wish you happy holidays.”
