Lebanese President Michel Aoun receives French National Front candidate Marine Le Pen on February 20, 2017. Picture by Balkis Press/ABACA ABACA/PA Images. All rights reserved. Irrespective of his political intentions when he signaled his refusal to invite President Donald Trump to speak in the parliament when he visits the UK, John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, cited his opposition to racism and sexism, as well as his support for an independent judiciary (in reaction to Trump’s infamous “so-called judge” remark) as reasons that explain his anti-Trump stance.
For her part, Marine Le Pen seemingly faced no such difficulty convincing the Lebanese President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Grand Mufti, Maronite (Catholic) Patriarch, a delegation of parliamentarians, Samir Geagea (Lebanese Forces) and Sami Gemayel (Phalanges) to meet with her during her two-day visit to Lebanon on the 20th and 21st of February 2017.
In fact, it was Le Pen’s first meeting with a head of state, President Michel Aoun, and arguably a successful one, judging from appearances. They discussed improving the relations between the two countries as well as Lebanon’s refugee crisis.
