The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, said on Monday in Beirut that he has been asked by French President Emmanuel Macron to "develop a program of military cooperation with Lebanon for the coming period," as Lebanon's troops, like the rest of the population, suffer from a severe economic crisis.

Lecornu, visiting Lebanon to celebrate the New Year with French soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),  praised the cooperation with the Lebanese army after a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Minister of Defense, Maurice Slim.

He announced he had been charged by  Macron to "define ways to strengthen collaboration [between Paris and Beirut] in order to develop the potential of the Lebanese Army, including the navy."

France has repeatedly donated food and military aid to Lebanese troops.

The French minister also stressed the importance of "cooperation with France to fight against illegal migration from Lebanon." On Saturday, the Lebanese military rescued nearly 200 migrants off the coast of Selaata, northern Lebanon, after their boat sank, leaving two dead.

Lecornu confirmed "the support of France to Lebanon" and hoped that the country "recovers," insisting on "the need to elect a president."

Since the end of the mandate of former President Michel Aoun on Oct. 31, Lebanese has faced an unprecedented double executive vacancy. Following the deadly Aug. 4, 2020 explosion in the port of Beirut, France has tried in vain to encourage the political class to engage in reforms, but divisions paralyze political life and prevent the election of a president.

For his part, the caretaker Lebanese Minister of Defense praised France's support for Lebanon and stressed the need to elect a new head of state.

Lecornu also met with the Lebanese Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.