French presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian has been meeting representatives of various Lebanese political parties since Wednesday morning, hours before legislators convene on Thursday to elect the long-aspired president of the Republic.
The French envoy met in the morning with two MPs from the Renewal Bloc, namely Michel Moawad and Fouad Makhzoumi, as well as members of the Forces of Change, MPs Marc Daou, Waddah Sadek and Michel Douaihy, in the presence of French Ambassador Hervé Magro at the latter’s Residence des Pins.
MP Moawad posted on X that the meeting revolved mostly around the presidential election, and that the participants stressed the importance of a fruitful vote on Thursday.
Le Drian also met with a number of MPs from the Independent Parliamentary Bloc (former members of the Free Patriotic Movement), including Elias Bou Saab, Ibrahim Kanaan, Alain Aoun and Simon Abi Ramia. Additionally, Le Drian held talks with officials from Hezbollah’s Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, headed by MP Mohammad Raad. According to well-informed sources, Raad stated that Hezbollah would not oppose any candidate over whom there would be a consensus.
Le Drian then visited Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh around midday. He refrained from making any declaration after the meeting.
The French envoy is also scheduled to meet with the former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Joumblatt, at the Residence des Pins in the afternoon. At 7:30 PM, Le Drian will visit Saifi to meet with the leader of the Kataeb Party, Samy Gemayel. According to the National Information Agency, the presidential envoy will also sit with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, and Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces.
Le Drian will attend the election session on Thursday.
As for the Maronite bishops, they convened in Bkerkeh on Wednesday and called upon MPs to prioritize the nation’s interests and ensure the election of a president on Thursday.
Comments