Le Drian Meets Aloula in KSA, Beirut Trip in Doubt

French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian met late at night in Riyadh with Nizar al-Aloula, a Saudi Royal Court adviser responsible for Lebanese affairs, alongside Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari. According to a key political source cited by al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday, this meeting signals Saudi Arabia’s renewed interest in engaging with Lebanon after a prolonged period of non-involvement.

Reports suggest that an agreement has been reached to hold a meeting in Beirut on September 14 for the ambassadors of the five-nation group concerned with Lebanon. This meeting will determine whether Le Drian will visit Beirut afterward.

Diplomatic and political sources informed al-Joumhouria that the discussions between Le Drian and Aloula centered on Lebanon’s political and constitutional challenges. They explored French proposals aimed at resolving these issues and facilitating the election of a new Lebanese president, whether through consensus or a democratic process with international backing.

Sources close to Saudi officials also indicated efforts to arrange another meeting between Le Drian, Aloula, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to continue discussions on French ideas, which have tentative U.S. support and align with U.S. and Qatari perspectives. This could provide renewed momentum for resolving Lebanon’s presidential deadlock.

According to informed sources, a visit by Le Drian to Beirut will only be scheduled after assessing the outcomes of the Riyadh meeting and the consultations of the five ambassadors in Beirut.