There was no mistaking the symbolism behind French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Beirut.

His Monday night arrival in the Lebanese capital marked his second visit in the space of weeks and coincided with the 100th anniversary of the country’s formation as a French colonial protectorate. Macron planted a cedar tree, an iconic emblem at the center of the Lebanese flag, with hopes for Lebanon’s “rebirth.” French fighter jets soared above the city in formation, trailing red and green smoke.

APRNEWS - A top French court on Friday rejected an appeal by former president Nicolas Sarkozy to avoid facing charges of illicit financing for his failed 2012 re-election bid, with a trial of the ex-head of state now appearing inevitable.

APRNEWS - Libya’s internationally recognised government said Monday its head Fayez al-Sarraj will tour Europe to seek support against an attack on Tripoli by strongman Khalifa Haftar, who urged his troops to “wipe out” government forces.

APRNEWS - French President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of new measures on Thursday, the result of months of "Great National Debate" he launched in response to the Yellow Vest protests. FRANCE 24 takes a closer look at some of Macron's plans.

APRNEWS - Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the internationally recognised government in Tripoli, accused France on Wednesday of supporting his rival Khalifa Haftar whom he described as a “dictator”.

APRNEWS - French President Emmanuel Macron will go on television on Monday evening to announce a series of policy changes based on the feedback received over two months of public consultations triggered by the Yellow Vest revolt.

APRNEWS - French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed his Senegalese-born media advisor as government spokeswoman, one of three new faces for his cabinet as it gears up for the European Parliament elections next month.

APRNEWS - French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that soldiers will be deployed across the country to help maintain security during yellow vest protests planned this weekend.

Macron said the military will secure government buildings and other sites to allow police forces to focus on maintaining public order, in comments reported on Wednesday by government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux.

APRNEWS - British Prime Minister Theresa May will request a short delay to Brexit in a letter to the European Union on Wednesday, the BBC and Sky reported on Wednesday.

APRNEWS - The leaders of France and Kenya have given their support to calls by scientists for urgent action to be taken to address some of the serious environmental issues people the world over are confronted with.