The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received at Baabda Palace the French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, where they discussed the Lebanese situation and current developments. President Aoun welcomed the assistance of friendly and brotherly countries in establishing the ceasefire, stressing the need not to give Israel any excuses not to withdraw, stressing that any effort made in this context will have positive effects on the course of the negotiations. For his part, Le Drian stressed that his visit to Lebanon comes to express French support and solidarity with Lebanon, and to emphasize France’s interest in Lebanese affairs and its keeping pace with current developments.