A statement issued by the French Embassy in Beirut regarding the visit of the French President's personal representative, Jean-Yves Le Drian, noted that the third visit to Lebanon, which will last until September 15, "comes as part of his mission of good offices that began in July in coordination with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt." During this visit, he will hold a series of discussions within the context of the exchanges he conducted during his previous two missions, with all political actors represented in the parliament, elected by the Lebanese people and responsible for electing the President of the Republic.
The statement added that Le Drian will address the necessity of exiting the current political deadlock with all stakeholders, "on priority projects that the new President must tackle to facilitate the formulation of a consensual solution in parliament and fill the institutional void." France intends, as reminded by the French President and the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs during the ambassadors' conference, to work towards the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon, stating that "this country itself has not been abandoned by France."
"The election of a President of the Republic today is an urgent necessity and a first step towards revitalizing political institutions." The statement concluded by affirming that the current situation "continues to deteriorate and state institutions are alarming in their weakening, also in the context of the absence of a Governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon, rising security tensions, and a parliament that no longer convenes to vote on necessary laws to revive the country and the prosperity of the Lebanese people, rampant inflation, and an economy that relies on liquidity, undermining Lebanon's sovereignty and prompting vibrant forces to leave."
