Patrick Durel takes up his duties as the new French ambassador to Lebanon

Appointed at the end of July as France's ambassador to Lebanon, Patrick Durel took up his post in Beirut on September 1st. In his first message published in French and Arabic, the diplomat affirmed that France would remain committed to Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and stability.

“Honored to represent France in Lebanon,” wrote Patrick Durel upon his arrival. “France was committed yesterday, is committed today, and will be committed tomorrow to the sovereignty, integrity, unity, and stability of Lebanon,” he added, assuring that Paris would “always stand in solidarity with the Lebanese people.” The diplomat also expressed his joy at “returning to Lebanon and its beloved people.”

A veteran of Lebanon and the Middle East

Patrick Durel succeeds Hervé Magro. Appointed by decree of President Emmanuel Macron on July 30, 2026, this seasoned diplomat already has extensive knowledge of Lebanon and the region. During his career, he has notably served in Lebanon, in Syria as a cultural attaché, and then in Iraq, where he was French ambassador between 2024 and 2026.

He also served as Emmanuel Macron's advisor on North Africa and the Middle East at the Élysée Palace. In this capacity, he was dispatched to Beirut several times following the double explosion at the port on August 4, 2020, and participated in the preparation of the third international conference in support of Lebanon. Held in 2021, this conference mobilized approximately $370 million in aid.

This long-standing knowledge of the country comes at a particularly sensitive time. Patrick Durel takes up his post as Lebanon is going through a period of high security tensions and as France seeks to strengthen its support for Lebanese institutions, particularly the army.

Paris is preparing for a new international conference in support of the Lebanese army. A preparatory meeting is scheduled for September 17 in the French capital, prior to the conference itself. The issue of strengthening the Lebanese armed forces is therefore expected to quickly become one of the new ambassador's top priorities.

With his arrival in Beirut, France is therefore counting on an experienced diplomat, already familiar with Lebanese political balances and regional crises, to continue a historically close relationship between Paris and Beirut.