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Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French special presidential envoy, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday and held meetings on Wednesday with key Lebanese leaders, including caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Army Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun. His visit to Lebanon is primarily focused on reactivating the presidential election process.
During an interview with France Info, Le Drian mentioned that he was returning to Lebanon on French President Emmanuel Macron’s request. He aims to encourage Lebanese officials to set aside their differences and work together towards establishing a functional constitutional system. Le Drian emphasized the need for Lebanese leaders to regain a sense of responsibility.
Le Drian’s discussions in Lebanon are also expected to cover the situation in southern Lebanon, particularly the deadly cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, which have resulted in significant casualties, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians.
In his meeting with Mikati, Le Drian highlighted the importance of achieving Lebanese consensus on current challenges and reiterated the five-nation group’s call for Lebanon to unify its positions. This includes swiftly electing a president and being open to receiving assistance in this regard, as reported by the National News Agency. Mikati, on his part, emphasized the urgency of halting Israeli aggression in southern Lebanon and Gaza.
Le Drian’s schedule also includes meetings with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, and Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.
President Macron, in a letter to Mikati published on Tuesday by the Grand Serail, warned that the ongoing presidential vacancy in Lebanon is hindering the country’s ability to address its crises and poses a risk of security deterioration, especially in the context of the escalating Hamas-Israel conflict.
