Le Drian has recommenced his series of meetings in Lebanon, focusing primarily on issues related to the presidential portfolio

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Special Presidential Envoy for Lebanon, has been actively engaging with prominent Lebanese figures, including Hezbollah’s leading MP Mohammad Raad, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement Jebran Bassil, and Kataeb party leader Sami Gemayyel.

During his meeting with Raad, French Ambassador to Lebanon Herve Magro and Hezbollah’s officer for Arab and international relations, Ammar al-Moussawi, were also present.

Le Drian arrived in Beirut on Tuesday night and initiated a series of discussions with various Lebanese political and religious leaders on Wednesday. His visit primarily focuses on Lebanon’s ongoing presidential void and the situation in the country’s south.

Following discussions with Le Drian, Gemayyel emphasized the need to enforce U.N. Resolution 1701 and called for the withdrawal of all armed factions from southern Lebanon, proposing that only the Lebanese Army should maintain a presence there.

Similarly, Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces who met with Le Drian on Wednesday, echoed this sentiment post-meeting. He noted Le Drian’s support for the removal of all “militias” from the south and the full implementation of Resolution 1701.