Hollande rings presidential hopeful Frangieh

In 2015, French President François Hollande made a significant phone call to Sleiman Frangieh, a prominent Lebanese political figure and leader of the Marada Movement, to discuss his potential candidacy for the Lebanese presidency. This conversation marked an important development in efforts to resolve Lebanon’s prolonged presidential vacancy, which had persisted for 18 months.

During their 15-minute conversation, Hollande and Frangieh reviewed recent regional and international developments. The call underscored France’s interest in stabilizing Lebanon by supporting Frangieh’s bid for the presidency. This move came shortly after former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri met with Hollande in Paris to promote Frangieh’s candidacy as part of a broader initiative to end the political deadlock that had left Lebanon without a president and paralyzed its executive and legislative branches.

Frangieh’s candidacy received mixed reactions within Lebanon. While it garnered support from some key local and regional actors, including Saudi Arabia, it faced opposition from major Christian parties such as the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, and the Kataeb Party. In response, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai intervened to mediate between the Christian factions to find common ground and facilitate the election of a president.

This period highlighted the complexities of Lebanese politics, where local dynamics are heavily influenced by regional and international powers. Hollande’s engagement with Frangieh demonstrated France’s ongoing role in Lebanese political affairs and its efforts to support stability in the region.