French special presidential envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to address the country’s presidential election crisis and present the outcomes of the Doha meeting held by the five-nation group (the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt) on July 17th.
Le Drian will also discuss the outcomes of his regional meetings, particularly with Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Nizar Alaoula, the Saudi advisor to the Royal Saudi Cabinet responsible for the Lebanese dossier.
Le Drian, who participated in the Doha meeting, was tasked by the five-nation group to follow up on resolving the presidential crisis, which has persisted for nine months.
This marks Le Drian’s second visit to Beirut in a month. This time, he is not carrying a specific proposal regarding the presidency, but rather attempts to bridge the gap between different viewpoints.
Despite initial hesitation about the visit due to the absence of new messages to convey, multiple meetings in Paris ultimately led to the confirmation of his visit.
Upon his arrival in Beirut, Le Drian, accompanied by the French Ambassador, Anne Grillo, first met with Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, in Ain el-Tineh.
Berri described the meeting as positive, stating that “an opening has pierced through” Lebanon’s presidential void. Whereas, Le Drian refrained from making any statements.
Subsequently, Le Drian proceeded to the Pine Residence, where he held discussions with the Progressive Socialist Party leader, MP Taymour Jumblatt, who expressed his commitment to three key principles: internal consensus, a consensus candidate for the presidency, and dialogue without preconditions.
On the same day, Le Drian also met with the Kataeb Party leader, MP Samy Gemayel, and the leader of the Independence Movement and former presidential candidate, MP Michel Moawad.
He is scheduled to meet with the Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, the following day at Maarab, as well as with representatives from the Change and Reform bloc.
Sources close to the Prime Minister’s office said that there will be no meetings between Mikati and Le Drian, as the French envoy will only meet with those directly involved in the presidential election process.
