French Foreign Minister Welcomed The Historic Maritime Border Deal In A Meeting With Lebanese Officials

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met this morning with President Michel Aoun , Prime Minister Najib Mikati , and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri .

The aim of her visit is to underline "France's commitment to the proper functioning of Lebanese institutions", and France's role in a maritime border agreement between Lebanon and Israel .

"France has worked with its international partners" to reach this agreement, the foreign ministry said in a statement, welcoming the "historic" deal.

Colonna's visit comes as the prospect of a power vacuum looms with the end of President Michel Aoun's mandate and the failure on Thursday of parliament's latest attempt to elect a president.

Lebanon approved the maritime border deal, unlocking significant offshore gas production for Lebanon and Israel.