Prime Minister Najib Mikati received French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourné at his home in Beirut this afternoon. French Ambassador to Lebanon, Herve Magro, and the delegation accompanying the Foreign Minister participated in the meeting, while on the Lebanese side, advisors to the Prime Minister, former Minister Nicolas Nahhas and Ambassador Boutros Asaker attended. During the meeting, Séjourné reiterated that France supports Lebanon, stands by its side, and has confidence in it. He hoped for "continued non-escalation from the Lebanese side," appreciating "restraint in this difficult period." For his part, the Prime Minister stressed "the importance of supporting the extension of the international peacekeeping forces' mandate in southern Lebanon for a period of one year." Following the visit, and in response journalists' urging inquiries, PM Mikati said: 'In this difficult period that we are going through, we can only be silent, patient, and prayerful.' Source: National News Agency - Lebanon