On his last day in Lebanon, French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Ain al-Tineh, where he met again with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, amid expectations of a return to Lebanon to continue his mission aimed at facilitating the election of a new president. During the meeting, the outcomes of Le Drian's discussions with various parties were reviewed.
Le Drian also contacted Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the results of the talks and meetings he had in Beirut over the past three days. It was jointly confirmed during the call that "the results of the discussions are positive regarding the imminent election of a new president."
In his statements, Berri denied that the French envoy had proposed a third name for the presidency, implying the rejection of the candidacy of former Minister Suleiman Franjieh and former Minister Jihad Azour. Berri said in a call with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that "things are excellent with Le Drian… and we are on the same line." He emphasized that dialogue "is not just his demand, but an Arab and international demand because it is the only way out of this crisis."
He announced that he would wait for what Le Drian brings him after concluding his tour to gauge the next steps. Meanwhile, the opposition, based on the meetings it held with the French envoy, believes that the French initiative has collapsed, particularly regarding support for the candidacy of Suleiman Franjieh, indicating the rejection of former Minister Jihad Azour and thus moving towards a third alternative option.
However, the visit made on Thursday by the head of the "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, to the head of the "Maronite Movement" and candidate of the Shiite duo, Suleiman Franjieh, at his residence in Bnashii confirmed once again the continued support of the Shiite duo for Franjieh.
