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Foreign policy: 3 factors behind Macron’s interest in Lebanon and the region
The magazine American Foreign Policy published an article by Stephen Cook, a researcher on Africa and the Middle East at the American Council on Foreign Relations, in which he indicated that French President Emmanuel Macron wants to demonstrate his strength in the Middle East, in light of his attempts to reshape the region, and the writer referred to current French efforts. And the reasons behind it.
The writer said the French have returned to the forefront in the Middle East, with Macron’s two visits to Lebanon recently, then to Iraq, and the French president has also beefed up the French military presence in the region, after deploying naval units, including the helicopter carrier Tonnerre and the frigate LA FAYETTE. This occurs despite talk of Russia or China advancing in the region from which the United States allegedly moved away.
And while the author pointed out that the French maneuvers came with an officially declared objective, which is to support Lebanon and its relief efforts after the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, there is no clear explanation for the arrival of French forces and aircraft to the Greek island of Crete, plus two aircraft in Cyprus.
The author attributes the reason for the serious French interest in the region this time, to impose order and achieve stability, to three factors: refugees, energy and Turkey.
Macron also seeks to prevent a new number of people from taking refuge in Europe, especially as he prepares for re-election in 2022, according to the writer who added that Paris pays special attention to what is in Libya and Iraq and the waters of Lebanon and Cyprus. , explaining that Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa has the fifth largest natural gas deposit, which is why Total de France has been operating in Libya for seven decades. The same company owns a 22.5% stake in the Halfaya oil field operation in Iraq’s Maysan governorate and an 18% stake in the exploration of “Block” in the Kurdistan region. The French company is involved in gas exploration off the southern coast of Cyprus, which borders Lebanese waters, which also contain energy resources.
The writer added that Macron’s visit to Iraq and his emphasis on Iraqi sovereignty and support for the autonomy of the Kurdistan region is a step that carries a message to Turkey that countries, including the United States, will not do a blind eye to Turkey, which is behind the implementation of military operations against the PKK.
Source: Agencies
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