i had a wonderful colleague with you, jean-noel. thank you. to the foreign minister, to president macron, i also have to say how grateful i am for the extraordinary partnership that the united states and france have enjoyed these past four years that we've been in office -- obviously a partnership, a fraternity, that goes back many, many years. i think it's fitting that my last trip as secretary of state brings me back to france. we know, both of us, that this is a world that we have to face together that is more complex, more competitive, more contested, than at any time in recent memory. but we have a shared determination -- our two countries -- to advance our shared interests and values, and to do it together. we have an enduring belief that this partnership is essential to trying to build a world that's a little bit safer, a little bit more secure, a little bit more prosperous for the people in both of our countries and well beyond. as jean-noel said, i think we've seen manifestations of that partnership and what it can produce in lebanon.

the us secretary of state anthony blinken is set to meet france's foreign minister jean—noel barrot inel forces toppled longtime ruler bashar al—assad last month and while syria's leadership has high hopes of building a better future for the country, sanctions imposed under the previous regime, are hindering progress. jean—noel barrot told french public radio on wednesday that there were ongoing discussions with eu partners about the possibility of lifting some sanctions. it comes as international flights resumed at damascus airport on tuesday for the first time since the fall of bashar al—assad, including the first direct flight from doha in 13 years. passengers were met by a party atmosphere in the arrivals hall. staff from the country's airlines syrianair and cham wings, both of which are still under us treasury sanctions for transporting mercenaries and weapons, and for other forms of trafficking under assad, told reporters they are optimistic that new flight routes could soon open up. so is this an early sign that the country's economy can be rebuilt post—assad ? dr shamel azmeh i

the information can be reached at jean-noel barrot dot org.ant to thank again all of our partners who have ensured that the resources are met with the need on the ground. i also want to thank just the outpouring of support from residents, from cities, from countries around the world. i also have to thank my commissioner, tanisha stevens, the new orleans police department. just ensuring that we're working in partnership and in real collaboration again to meet our people where they are. but make no mistake about it, we are working collectively and around the clock and we will not stop. i have full confidence that the city of new orleans not only is safe, we will continue to be safe days, weeks and months ahead as we prepare again to host national events in our city. thank you. >> thank you mayor. we want to sincerely thank the public for all the information we've had so far. and again, encourage anyone who may have interacted with jabbar to call us at one 800, call fbi or send digital tips to w w w dot fbi.gov slash bourbon street attack at this

as jean-noel said i think we seek manifestations of that partnership and what it can produce in lebanon together, france and the united states produce a ceasefire in lebanon that is holding, that's moving forward and that is creating the possibility for a much different and much better future for the country as well as for its relationship with israel. together, we put together an oversight mechanism to address concerns about ceasefire violations, and it is working. challenges remain but so far the mechanism is functioning well and we've seen as recently as yesterday now the withdrawal of about, more than a third of israeli forces in lebanon. i think the ceasefire can be a bridge to a durable peace that allows people both sides of the border, israel and lebanon, to return to their homes, to return to their lives and to move forward in greater peace and security. in syria where jean-noel just made a very important visit along with our friends the german foreign minister, we see as well genuine hope for the future after five decades of an assad regime that brutalize the syrian people. now