Reports: Le Drian to visit Beirut, may propose dialogue in Paris
Paris has a serious intention to dispatch its presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian to Lebanon at the end of the current month, several sources have said.
While in Lebanon, Le Drian will meet with the ambassadors of the countries of the five-nation group for Lebanon to discuss the outcome of their meetings with the heads of the Lebanese parties and blocs, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Thursday.
Le Drian will also meet with senior officials, topped by Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the daily added.
“There are ideas that have been discussed with the French side, including the Elysee’s sending of invitations to hold a dialogue conference in Paris that would gather the Lebanese political forces in order to discuss the presidential file, in a new attempt to find exits that would allow for a breakthrough in this file,” al-Akhbar reported.
The French, however, have been advised by Lebanese sides not to make such a step in the current period due to “the deep political rift that might lead to thwarting the initiative and harming France’s image and role,” the daily quoted informed sources as saying.
“And as Paris insists on dispatching Le Drian despite the lack of any positive indications about a possible breakthrough in the presidential file, the presidential envoy has been quoted as saying that French-Saudi coordination is behind the step,” al-Akhbar added.
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