Update on the Meeting Between Macron and Mikati

The meeting between President Najib Mikati and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the COP28 conference in Dubai, which discussed the outcomes of Jean-Yves Le Drian's meetings in Beirut, did not yield any confirmations of tangible progress on the paths being pursued by the French envoy. Regarding Mikati's participation in COP28, government sources told the electronic newspaper "Anbaa" that "Mikati wanted this participation because this gathering includes most of the heads of state in the world. He has been keen lately to meet with as many heads of these states as possible, especially those concerned with the Middle East, to emphasize Lebanon's presence on the international level and to explain the Lebanese situation and the Israeli aggression it is facing. These meetings may help preserve Lebanon and prevent its slide into war." The sources noted that "Mikati, who also met with the Prime Ministers of the UK, Ireland, Italy, and others, will continue his meetings today, Sunday," adding that "the situation in Lebanon was present in all these meetings, along with discussions about stopping the war on Lebanon, as matters seem to be escalating."