Even though the message carried by the visit of the French presidential envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, was singular, the interpretations given by the Lebanese political forces varied to the point of contradiction.
This marks a fresh indication that Lebanese politicians have failed to reach an understanding, further prolonging the presidential power vacuum crisis in the country since the end of the former president Michel Aoun's term on November 1 of 2022.
However, what remains constant in this visit is that it was exploratory, following a familiarization visit undertaken by Le Drian in June of last year.
The actual working visit is scheduled for September, effectively meaning an extension of the presidential power vacuum at least until that time.
In summary, as one of the key individuals involved in Le Drian’s visit put it, “Enjoy your summer, for there will be no president until the autumn.”
Following the remarks made by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday about “creating an opening in the wall of the presidential crisis,” the rest of those who met with Le Drian gradually tempered their optimism.
The French envoy came bearing two questions that he posed to the officials, as stated by a source who participated in the meeting between the head of the Lebanese Forces (LF) Samir Geagea and Le Drian.
The questions were as follows: Firstly, what is required of the next president? Secondly, what are the specifications, qualifications, and characteristics that this president must possess?
While the source refrained from mentioning “the mechanisms through which the answers will be obtained,” they affirmed that the French did not propose any comprehensive agreement, as they intend to grant the next president the freedom of action and not restrict them with prior commitments.
On the other hand, sources familiar with the meeting between head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil and Le Drian provided more specific insights into the roadmap carried by the French envoy.
These sources denied that Le Drian brought any proposal from Berri or others, indicating that he will visit Lebanon between September 15 and 17 for a brief two-day visit.
During this time, he will engage in intense consultations with all parties, without confirming whether these meetings will lead to a comprehensive dialogue or be in the form of individual visits, as is happening currently.
After these consultations, Le Drian is expected to issue a comprehensive and constructive statement based on the mandate from the five-member committee for Lebanon.
This statement will serve as a roadmap for Lebanon in politics, economics, and finance.
The responses received during those two days will then be used to put forward one or more candidates who can implement this program.
Subsequently, the parliament will proceed to vote in consecutive sessions, and any deliberate absence by members to obstruct the quorum will be subject to sanctions imposed by the five countries involved.
The source asserted that Lebanon is likely to elect a president in September.
According to a French diplomatic source, the information circulating about the mechanisms “may not be precise in form, but more accurate in substance.”
However, an LF source vehemently denied this information, asserting that Le Drian did not discuss similar mechanisms and clarified that Geagea promised to pose the two questions to both the party members and allies and consult with them before the French envoy’s return to Lebanon.
On the other hand, the French source pledged to provide further clarifications in a statement to be issued at the end of Le Drian’s visit, outlining “the current and future moves of French diplomacy.”
