Paris to 'invite Christian leaders' to convince them of 'Franjieh-Salam deal'

Serious developments have taken place in the efforts led by France in the presidential elections file, a media report said on Thursday.

“Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received days ago a phone call from French presidential adviser Patrick Durel, who asked the parliament speaker to launch a dialogue effort that would pave the way for an agreement leading to setting a date for a presidential election session,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

Sources meanwhile told the daily that Berri had previously received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the presidential file.

According to the sources, Berri asked Durel about the outcome of the French contacts with Riyadh and the other Lebanese parties and the French official answered that “things are better than before and there are encouraging indications.”

“We have informed the Lebanese parties whom we met that Suleiman Franjieh is the most serious candidate and that Lebanon needs a settlement that would allow for launching comprehensive reforms,” the sources quoted Durel as telling Berri.

Ain el-Tineh visitors for their part said that “the atmosphere is positive” and that “the camp opposed to Franjieh’s nomination is waging a broad attack after it learned of the positive outcome of the French efforts.”

“The Marada chief’s remarks on Tuesday from Bkirki’s podium resembled a nomination declaration and a presidential platform, and he wouldn’t have taken such a step had he not received French guarantees,” the visitors added.

Al-Akhbar also reported that Paris intends to “invite a number of Lebanese leaders, especially Christians, to explain the importance of endorsing a settlement leading to Franjieh’s election as president and the appointment of Judge Nawaf Salam as premier.”

The French are “encouraging Berri and Franjieh to launch broad contacts with all the parliamentary blocs to guarantee securing full quorum for any electoral session that might be called for,” the daily added.