New french prime minister starts diplomatic tour with qatar and Morocco visits

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has embarked on his first international mission since taking office at Matignon, making stops in Doha and Rabat to strengthen France’s diplomatic ties.

His journey began on Tuesday in the Qatar, where he led the French delegation to pay respects following the passing of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 until 2013. The high-level visit underscored the deep friendship between Paris and Doha, as personally requested by President Emmanuel Macron.

The Qatari government confirmed the death of the 74-year-old leader, who stepped down in favor of his son in 2013 but remained a key figure in the Gulf state’s modernization and diplomatic strategy. Funeral rites were held the same evening.

Rebuilding bridges with Rabat

After concluding his duties in Qatar, Lecornu is set to arrive in Morocco on Wednesday evening for a two-day working visit. The agenda includes meetings with Moroccan officials and a high-level government summit—the first of its kind since 2019.

A delegation of over a dozen French ministers, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior, Jean-Noël Barrot and Laurent Nuñez, will accompany him. Discussions will focus on deepening Franco-Moroccan cooperation, particularly after the landmark 2024 decision by Macron to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a move that strained relations with Algeria.

The visit follows a state trip by Macron to Rabat in October 2024, which marked the end of three years of diplomatic tensions. The visit resulted in multiple trade agreements and set the stage for a potential state visit by King Mohammed VI to France, where a historic partnership treaty could be signed.

The timing of Lecornu’s trip highlights France’s commitment to reinforcing alliances in the region, following months of internal political shifts at home.