The French President’s personal representative for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has reportedly warned Lebanese officials and politicians whom he met on Wednesday that “time is pressing” and Lebanon can no longer go on without a president of the Republic.
According to information obtained by MTV, Le Drian told those he met, “Against the backdrop of the Gaza war, Lebanon cannot remain without a president, especially if the Gaza situation goes to negotiations.”
“Lebanon cannot stay out of the equation and out of the negotiating table where it is concerned.”
On his fourth mission to Lebanon, Le Drian revealed that he did not carry a presidential proposal but urged the Lebanese officials to expedite agreement on a candidate, saying, “You no longer have time, and if Lebanon remains without a president, the country will go through a very difficult situation.”
“There is a serious threat to Lebanon, and the government must bear its responsibility by implementing Resolution 1701. It is necessary to put an end to Israeli violations and to have every party respect the armistice,” Le Drian has reportedly told those he met.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, whom Le Drian met in the afternoon, declared after the meeting that “Hezbollah wants a president for itself, while we want a president for Lebanon, and whoever obstructs the presidential election sessions is in the (Hezbollah-led) resistance axis… The problem is not among the Maronites because we have already agreed on (former Minister Jihad) Azour.”
On the question of the Army command, whose chief Gen. Joseph Aoun retires on January 10, Geagea declared that “it makes no sense to leave the military institution subject to various influences,” pointing out that “the simplest solution is to extend the mandate of the current commander by one year.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Le Drian held a series of meetings that included Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
He later met with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai in Bkerke and Marada MP Tony Frangieh.
His meetings revolved around the security situation in Gaza and southern Lebanon and France’s commitment to offer help and aid to the army.
Read more: https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/lebanon/202880
