Ambassadors of Quintet to Meet Lebanese Officials to Discuss Proposal to End Presidential Impasse

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari meets with Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch All the East Youssef Al-Absi on Friday. (NNA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari meets with Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch All the East Youssef Al-Absi on Friday. (NNA)
TT

Ambassadors of Quintet to Meet Lebanese Officials to Discuss Proposal to End Presidential Impasse

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari meets with Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch All the East Youssef Al-Absi on Friday. (NNA)
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari meets with Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch All the East Youssef Al-Absi on Friday. (NNA)

The ambassadors of the Quintet on Lebanon are continuing their efforts to reach a breakthrough in the presidential impasse in the country.

The envoys met at Saudi Ambassador to Beirut Waleed al-Bukhari's residence on Thursday and are expected to hold talks with several Lebanese officials next week to discuss their proposal on ending the deadlock.

The quintet is formed of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, France and the United States.

The envoys are scheduled to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri next week. Sources from his parliamentary bloc said he was open to cooperating with the Quintet.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was awaiting what they have prepared over the presidency.

The envoys will not name candidates, but “standards and the outline for the election of the next president, who enjoys the support of the people.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Aoun ended in October 2022. Bickering between political blocs has thwarted an agreement on his successor.

On Friday, Bukhari met with Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch All the East Youssef Al-Absi for talks on national and regional affairs.

Bukhari described the visit as a protocol one, adding that he briefed Absi on the Quintet’s latest efforts to help end the presidential impasse.

For his part, Absi hailed the bilateral relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and their peoples. He also praised the Kingdom’s efforts in Lebanon on all levels, reported the National News Agency.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Alaa Moussa said the Quintet wants to facilitate issues in Lebanon and “help as much as it can”.

“The election of a president is not just a goal, but a step that would be followed up with others,” he said during a dinner banquet thrown in his honor by MP Neemat Frem.

He stressed that Egypt has a “clear and sustainable commitment towards the Lebanese people.”

“We have a joint interest for both Lebanon and Egypt to be strong. This ensures the success of both countries,” he added.

The meetings held by the Quintet ambassadors are a precursor to the arrival of French presidential envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian, who will also discuss the presidential vacuum with political powers.

As it stands, Hezbollah and its allies are still committed to the election of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh as president. The opposition still supports the run of former minister Jihad Azour. It is hoping that the Quintet would eventually pave the way for an agreement on a third candidate.



Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)

Israel said its troops arrested on Wednesday four Hezbollah operatives, including a local commander, when they entered what it described as a restricted area in southern Lebanon.

The two sides entered into a ceasefire early Wednesday that appears to be holding, but Israel has said it will strike the group in response to any violations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the arrests in a statement. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The statement said Israeli troops have been ordered to prevent people from returning to villages near the border, where the forces are still deployed.

The ceasefire agreement gives Israel and Hezbollah fighters 60 days to withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon near the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will patrol the area, and an international committee will monitor compliance.