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The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is reportedly preparing to preside over a meeting in the coming days that will bring together representatives of major powers concerned with Lebanon. Additionally, Pope Francis may discuss the issue of the Lebanese presidential election with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Marseille on September 22 or 23.

While French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian concluded his third mission to Lebanon on Friday, aiming to break the deadlock in the presidential election, and as Qatar continues to play a discreet but growing role in this matter, a new actor appears to have entered the scene to address the leadership vacuum.

This actor is the Vatican, with its Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, reportedly preparing to chair a meeting in the coming days that will bring together representatives of major powers concerned with Lebanon. Furthermore, according to press reports, Pope Francis may discuss the issue of the Lebanese presidential election with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Marseille on September 22 or 23.

According to a diplomatic source cited by Nidaa al-Watan newspaper, several topics will be discussed during the meeting chaired by Cardinal Parolin, including “the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.” The Lebanese dossier will also be raised, with a focus on the idea that “a solution to the Lebanese crisis lies in the election of an independent president capable of bringing all parties together.”

According to this source, “The Vatican favors a specific candidate whose name will be announced soon, as Lebanese parties have been unable to agree on one.” It is emphasized that “the path to a solution to the presidential crisis has begun, and there is international determination to put an end to any delays motivated by personal ambitions, at a time when Lebanon is going through the most dangerous phase in its history and facing existential threats.”

The source further highlighted the meeting between Cardinal Parolin and the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun, during which General Aoun discussed important matters in detail, including the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the country’s role on regional and global levels.

A diplomatic source close to the Vatican neither confirmed nor denied the information provided by the Arabic-language newspaper, stating to This Is Beirut that “Vatican diplomacy is discreet. It does not seek publicity but results.” The source also mentioned that “the Pope closely follows events in Lebanon” and occasionally surprises his interlocutors by demonstrating a better understanding of what is happening there than they do.

The Pope, who wishes to visit Lebanon, cannot undertake such a visit before the election of a president and the formation of a government. When a new head of state is elected and extends an invitation to him, the Holy Father will be delighted to visit, according to the aforementioned source.

The French Connection

As for Jean-Yves Le Drian’s third mission as the personal envoy of President Macron to Lebanon, he concluded it with a second meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and a phone call with outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

According to political sources, the French envoy is expected to return to Lebanon towards the end of the month to organize a meeting at the Résidence des Pins, as part of a follow-up to his mission.

His return will come after a new meeting of the Group of Five (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United States and France), scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 18 and 19 in New York.

The “discussions at the Résidence des Pins” are intended to replace the “multilateral dialogue in Parliament” advocated for by Speaker Berri and rejected by the opposition, which views such dialogue as a dangerous precedent for Lebanese democracy.

According to the aforementioned political sources, this middle-ground solution aims to reassure both sides in Lebanon so that neither feels disadvantaged. These “discussions” should be followed by an open parliamentary vote for the election of the president.

Many MPs who met with Le Drian indicated that he proposed moving on to “a third name,” as the two candidates supported by the March 8 coalition (Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh) and the sovereignist blocs (Jihad Azour) failed to secure enough votes in the last electoral session.

However, sources close to March 8 deny that the French envoy made this proposal, while emphasizing that this camp remains committed to its candidate.

According to them, there is no difference between “discussions” and “dialogue,” which means that Berri’s initiative is still in effect. Le Drian did express hope that this initiative would constitute “the beginning of a solution,” as noted in March 8 circles.