Despite the international scene attracting attention regarding the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian war and its implications for all countries, including Lebanon, which is already mired in multiple and complex crises, there is a sense of concern amongst many parties about whether these ramifications will negatively affect international and Arab interest in Lebanon and lead to a withdrawal of assistance during these difficult and critical circumstances. However, Beirut, which welcomed a delegation from the U.S. Treasury and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund at the beginning of the week, is also preparing to receive French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in the coming days, highlighting that the Lebanese file remains on the agenda of some interested countries. This was evident during discussions between Minister Le Drian and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, who agreed to fund humanitarian projects to assist the Lebanese people.
High-level diplomatic sources monitoring all developments revealed to Al-Liwaa that the purpose of the International Monetary Fund's delegation visit is to directly assess the preparations made by the government and the stages it has reached regarding the recovery plan that the Fund demands be completed as soon as possible, in preparation for an agreement between it and Lebanon to secure the necessary assistance needed to overcome its economic and financial crisis. The sources also consider that Lebanon remains a priority for some countries, especially France, despite its current engagement with the Russian-Ukrainian war. In this regard, the sources confirm that, so far, Lebanon has not received any official notification from the French Foreign Ministry regarding the cancellation or confirmation of the visit that was scheduled for Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Beirut in the coming days, as promised by Prime Minister Najib Mikati during their meeting in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Mikati had informed him of his intention to visit the Lebanese capital to discuss all current developments after previous delays. However, they discount that this visit will happen soon due to ongoing French involvement in the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian war, expecting it might take place at the end of this month before French attention shifts to the presidential election next month. According to information, if the French official's visit does occur, it will not carry any new ideas or proposals but will focus on monitoring the situation in Lebanon and will center on three main points: First, to review what the government is doing regarding the reforms that the international community is demanding after the Lebanese government approved the budget project and referred it to the Parliament. Second, the recovery plan that the government promised to complete, as it is linked to negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. The third topic, according to the sources, is to assess the preparations being made for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The sources point out that the French official's visit will serve as a confirmation of Paris’ interest in the Lebanese situation and its support for Lebanon, especially if Le Drian is accompanied by Ambassador Pierre Duquesne, who is tasked with closely monitoring the Lebanese file, including the reform issues based on which the international community will resume providing support and assistance to Lebanon. Regarding the recent quick visit by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit to Beirut last Saturday, a diplomatic source confirmed that the visit was dedicated to Aboul Gheit's participation in a ceremony honoring the winners of the "Arab Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis in Legal and Judicial Sciences in the Arab World." Therefore, he did not address the details of the Lebanese situation, including the Arab initiative that was conveyed by the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister to Beirut as an envoy from the Gulf Cooperation Council at the end of January.
However, sources revealed that the Secretary-General of the Arab League will return to Lebanon again in the middle of this month. In response to a question from Al-Liwaa about this visit, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hussam Zaki said: "The Secretary-General's visit to Lebanon is in response to an invitation from the Secretary-General of ESCWA to attend a meeting on development in the Arab world. During this visit, Aboul Gheit will have meetings with the three presidents, and discussions will focus on the Lebanese issue from all its aspects, which the League is keen to follow, especially as it supports the Arab initiative that is still in effect, and it understands its foundations. It hopes to transcend the disagreement and rally Arab support for Lebanon to restore its normal relations with Gulf countries to what they were."
Zaki noted that the Arab League is preparing for the Arab summit expected to be held in Algeria in the second half of next year, and its agenda will include many fundamental issues, including, of course, Lebanon's relationship with Arab countries. Ultimately, there remains hope that Lebanon will benefit from the assistance and attention of the international and Arab community to emerge from its crises before it is too late, especially in light of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the outcome of which is still uncertain.
