The former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, has traveled to the French capital, Paris, on a visit described as exploratory and lasting several days. Jumblatt's visit includes political meetings with several prominent figures involved in the Middle East file, with French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian expected to be among the first, according to Kuwaiti "Anbaa." He was preceded by MP Marwan Hamadeh, who returned days earlier from Paris.
Jumblatt's visit is deemed significant by observers amidst expectations of renewed French engagement following the holiday season, particularly regarding the external situation linked to the ongoing war in Gaza and the recent Israeli-Iranian tensions after the targeting of the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the escalation of military provocations between them. There are leaked reports of an imminent Iranian response to Israel and its implications for Lebanon, which cannot afford any military adventures, as noted by one observing MP.
Internally, amid fears of Israel expanding its military activities against Lebanon, and according to sources from the Democratic Gathering bloc, Jumblatt’s recent position after meeting with President Nabih Berri will be a primary focus in his upcoming discussions, particularly emphasizing the necessity of implementing UN Resolution 1701 on both sides of the border and reviving the 1949 ceasefire agreement. Given the historically close political relations between Berri and Jumblatt, it would be unreasonable for Jumblatt to make statements without their agreement on the aforementioned points, according to "Anbaa" Kuwait.
