France, March 28 -- French President Emmanuel Macron will host his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, in Paris on Friday, a visit he says signals France's full commitment to Lebanon's "recovery" and "sovereignty". The country's new government is facing a crippling economic crisis, as well as the need to rebuild after the recent Israeli-Hezbollah war.

Aoun's visit to Paris will be the third in-person meeting between the two leaders, following Macron's visit to Beirut on 17 January, underlining a determination on both sides to boost bilateral relations.

In a statement issued earlier this week, Aoun's office said his visit would be an opportunity to express "his appreciation for France's unwavering support" and, in particular, "Macron's pe...