What Did Pierre Doukan Come to Do in Beirut?

It was notable amidst the signs of the governmental crisis that the French envoy tasked with coordinating international support for Lebanon, Pierre Doukan, began his new mission in Beirut by meeting with economic bodies chaired by former Minister Mohammad Chuqair before meeting any official government representative. The economic bodies presented an outline of their plan for economic and financial recovery, followed by an extended discussion between Ambassador Doukan and the attendees regarding the issues raised. Doukan emphasized that "there is no alternative to quickly signing a program with the International Monetary Fund, based on the technical agreement concluded at the beginning of last April between the Lebanese government and the Fund," considering that "this represents the only realistic way for Lebanon to exit the crisis, to reinvigorate investment, consumption, and growth, and to secure support from the international community." Sources monitoring Doukan's visit to Beirut speculate that while the visit appears to be focused on economic development related to the joint Saudi-French fund to assist Lebanon, its underlying intention is political, asserting that the man is there to present and recommend a stance in favor of Mikati's government.