The timing of Jean-Yves Le Drian’s fourth visit to Lebanon appears directly linked to the issue of retaining Army Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun in his position. French President Emmanuel Macron’s special envoy for Lebanon stressed this point during discussions with all his interlocutors, clarifying that he speaks on behalf of the Quintet (France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United States).

These five countries are “clearly and firmly” committed to Joseph Aoun remaining at the helm of the Army and caution against a vacuum in the leadership if he retires on January 10, according to several deputies who met with Le Drian.

France’s former foreign minister also indicated that all his interlocutors, except for the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil, are in favor of General Aoun staying in his post. Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, who met with Le Drian on Wednesday, was very clear on this matter. Joumblatt is also against appointing a new (Druze) chief of staff to replace General Aoun at the helm of the Army until a president is elected and a new commander is appointed.

This option is however favored by the FPM, which fiercely opposes extending General Aoun’s mandate for political reasons linked to the interests and political ambitions of its leader. This opposition was reiterated during Bassil’s meeting with Le Drian at Mirna Chalouhi. The meeting, which was seemingly tense, lasted only a few minutes, as Bassil firmly rejected any extension of the Army command and refused to discuss it.

In a televised statement, Gebran Bassil’s advisor Antoine Constantine clarified that the Batroun deputy “was surprised by the French envoy’s request” to extend General Aoun’s mandate, “and responded that it goes against the Constitution and laws.” The FPM “will not abandon the principles it has always followed,” Bassil reportedly said to the French envoy.

Unlike the FPM leader, the political figures who met with the French envoy were in favor of delaying the retirement of the Army Commander, according to various political sources.

Deputies Michel Moawad and Fouad Makhzoumi (Renewal Bloc), who had lunch with Le Drian at the Résidence des Pins in the presence of French Ambassador Hervé Magro, expressed this stance. They also called for presidential elections “that would restore order in state institutions, lead to an active Lebanese presence in any negotiation to reorganize the region and prevent Lebanon from being used as a bargaining chip.”

The bloc also expressed its “openness, like other opposition forces, to the principle of the third presidential path proposed by Le Drian.”

The presidential election was, of course, discussed during the French envoy’s meetings in the Lebanese capital. He once again emphasized that the presidential election in Lebanon is an “absolute priority.” He noted that the “third way” seems to be better received than during his previous visit. He did not put forward any names, stating that he was trying to bridge the gaps between Lebanese parties.

He also emphasized that electing a president is even more crucial after the outbreak of the Gaza war because, to be present at the table in the subsequent political process, Lebanon needs a president who will speak on its behalf.

On Thursday, Le Drian also met Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc leader Mohammad Raad, Kataeb party leader Samy Gemayel, and deputies Mark Daou, Waddah Sadek and Michel Douaihy. He also received a delegation from the Moderation Bloc (North Lebanon) at the Résidence des Pins.

Describing the discussions as “positive,” Gemayel, after his meeting with the French envoy, affirmed that “the problem (of the presidential election) lies in Hezbollah’s attachment to the candidacy of Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh and its refusal to discuss any other name.” He called on “Hezbollah and its allies to rid themselves of any diktat.” Gemayel added, “There is no choice but to opt for a candidate who is agreed upon by everyone.”

“We need a unifying military institution to implement (UN Security Council Resolution) 1701,” the Kataeb leader further insisted. He called for “not destabilizing the Army command at this time.” He reiterated, “We are unable to appoint a new Army Commander, and we call for delaying General Joseph Aoun’s retirement.”

Reflecting on the situation in the region, he estimated that “the changes taking place will be structural.” He continued, “Lebanon is in the eye of the storm, and we must unite to face the next stage and make crucial decisions and major compromises.” Gemayel stressed, “We refuse to compromise at the expense of the Lebanese state. We have paid the price for anarchy in South Lebanon and violations of national sovereignty.”

He concluded by emphasizing the imperative need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.