French President Emmanuel Macron’s special envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, brought back to Paris the outcomes of his meetings with officials and representatives of parliamentary blocs in Lebanon.
During his visit, Le Drian listened to concerns and viewpoints from various individuals, including presidential candidates.
The envoy, however, did not announce a plan to end the presidential vacuum.
This comes at a time when sources familiar with Le Drian’s meetings report a prevailing belief among political circles in Beirut that France “lacks executive tools,” thus limiting its diplomatic efforts to the framework of a “quest” to achieve a breakthrough in the presidential crisis.
On Friday, Le Drian continued his meetings with officials and representatives of parliamentary blocs in Beirut, concluding with a meeting with Army Chief General Joseph Aoun.
Aoun was the third presidential candidate on the schedule of meetings for the French presidential envoy, following Marada Movement leader Sleiman Franjieh and former minister Ziad Baroud.
However, the three candidates face mutual vetoes from political factions, making the election of any of them difficult without political consensus.
Although the French endeavor is seen as an “intensive attempt to achieve a breakthrough,” evidenced by Le Drian being informed during his meetings that he would return in coming weeks, indications he received suggest that the crisis remains unresolved.
There is a “dissipation of optimism about ending the vacuum within the minimum three-month period,” said sources closely following the visit.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, these sources also cast doubt on the ability of France to achieve decisive results “without the support of other influential countries” such as the US or others who possess influence in the country and currently maintain a neutral stance.
Among the officials that Le Drian met on Friday were resigned Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and his son Taymour, who heads the Democratic Gathering bloc in parliament.
The envoy also met with Kataeb party chief MP Sami Gemayel and MPs Nadim Gemayel and Salim al-Sayegh.
