Senator Olivier Cadic Visits Project Watan Headquarters and Meets Frem

French Senator Olivier Cadic, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces Committee in the French Senate, visited the headquarters of Project Watan, where he met with the Chairman of the Executive Board, MP Neemat Frem, and members of the Board. He was accompanied by Ms. Nadia Chaaya, the elected representative of the French community in Lebanon and the wider region, and candidate in the upcoming French elections.

During the visit, Senator Cadic was briefed on Project Watan’s trajectory since its founding – from its objectives to its charter – as well as the progress achieved in drafting legislative proposals, particularly those related to parliamentary elections and the rebuilding of Lebanese state institutions.

“I welcomed French Senator Olivier Cadic to Project Watan’s headquarters, where we held an in-depth discussion on the necessity of shielding Lebanon from the eye of the storm and safeguarding its sovereign decision-making,” Frem stated following the meeting. “We stressed the importance of holding elections under a clear law that guarantees genuine representation of the aspirations of the Lebanese people – both residents and expatriates. We also underscored the need to ensure that the Lebanese voice is heard ahead of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army, which will be held in France.”

Frem emphasized that the upcoming parliamentary elections must reflect the true Lebanese voice and that no vote should serve the interests of other countries in the region. He underlined that the objective is to prevent Lebanon from being drawn in the eye of the storm, safeguard the independence of its decisions, and serve exclusively the interests of the Lebanese people and the country’s higher national interest.

For his part, Senator Cadic expressed his deep interest in Lebanese affairs, reaffirming France’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in strengthening its sovereignty and independence, particularly through backing and empowering the Lebanese Army to fully carry out its role. He also discussed the ongoing follow-up on the Beirut Port explosion case and cooperation with the Lebanese judiciary to ensure justice for all victims, including French nationals, noting that this issue remains a priority during his visits to Lebanon.

Cadic added that this visit provided him with deeper insight into Project Watan’s vision and the latest political and social developments in Lebanon. He reaffirmed his commitment to closely following developments and conveying them to his colleagues in the French Senate.

On a separate note, the senator stated that during his visit to the city of Jounieh, he met with the president and members of the municipal council. He commended the significant improvements the city has witnessed in recent months and praised the role of the local community in advancing development and enhancing public services. “This is a testament to the Lebanese people’s ability to rise and effect positive change despite the current challenges,” he concluded.