French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian held a private meeting at the residence of Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari in Yarzé, which included the Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdel-Latif Daryan, Chargé d'Affaires at the French Embassy Hervé Garo, and Ambassador Bukhari. The meeting lasted half an hour, after which they moved to the grand hall where Sunni MPs were waiting for them. During the meeting, Le Drian affirmed that France would continue to seek solutions and highlighted the importance of Lebanese consultations among themselves. He noted that "the session on June 14 did not yield any candidate, so we must look at other names through opening a dialogue." He stressed the "importance of completing reforms for Lebanon to recover from its economic, social, and living conditions," expressing that "the vacancy in state institutions paralyzes the state, and electing a president does not constitute a solution but is a critical condition for the solution. France and Saudi Arabia are working hand in hand for Lebanon's recovery, and we hope that the efforts they are making with the quintet committee will bear fruit and achieve success."
At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Bukhari welcomed the French envoy and congratulated Mufti Daryan on the extension of his term, wishing him "more success." He stressed that "today's meeting strengthens unity and solidarity among all."
Mufti Daryan then delivered a speech thanking Ambassador Bukhari for his invitation and emphasized "the important role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is keen on Lebanon and the Lebanese." He confirmed that "the Muslim MPs from the Sunni community are keen on completing the presidential entitlement and have not boycotted any election session, asserting and striving to expedite the election of a unifying president." He stated, "There is no republic without a president of the republic, and we, with those present, adhere to the constitution and the Taif Agreement and its full implementation. They are advocates of coexistence and insist on their firm positions to achieve reforms, appreciating the work of the quintet committee and its efforts to emerge from this crisis," underscoring the importance of the content and foundations of the Doha statement issued by the quintet committee.
Daryan viewed that "electing a president is not the whole solution but is the gateway to all solutions. The Mufti's office confirms the criteria for the presidency that must be adhered to for the election, as stated in its statement issued about a year ago after a meeting with Muslim MPs from the Sunni community in the Mufti's office to arrive at a unified position on this issue." He emphasized that "there must be agreement on dialogue, and we have no objection to quick dialogues to reach understandings."
Subsequently, attending MPs took turns speaking, confirming "the necessity of electing a president soon." MP Fouad Makhzoumi emphasized that "dialogue should take place after electing the president, not before." Meanwhile, MP Abdul Rahman Al-Bizri stated that "there needs to be a guarantee that any dialogue project will serve as a pathway to elect a president," pointing out that "the quintet committee encourages any presidential dialogue and other issues can be postponed until after the presidential elections." For his part, MP Faisal Karami emphasized the need to expedite the election of a president through dialogue without preconditions, under a single item which is "electing a president." In response to a question, he said, "Saudi Arabia supports anything that facilitates reaching a solution."
MP Qassem Hashem stressed that "regardless of our differences, the meeting was positive, and what we hope for is that it serves as a prelude to gathering all Lebanese to contribute and hasten the exit of Lebanon from the state of presidential vacancy." He pointed out that dialogue without conditions "will reflect the final image of the specifications for the upcoming president."
Twenty-one out of 27 Sunni MPs attended, while the absent MPs included: Bakr Al-Hajiri, Yanal Al-Sulh, Jihad Al-Samad (who were not invited), Ibrahim Mneimneh, Halima Qaqar, and Osama Saad.
### Raï
Le Drian began his meetings with Lebanese officials on Thursday from Bkerke, where he met with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rai, in the presence of Chargé d'Affaires at the French Embassy, Hervé Magro, and Bishop Paul Siah. Le Drian briefed the Patriarch on the outcomes of his communications and meetings during his current visit to Lebanon and listened to his perspective on ways to activate the stalled presidential file.
In turn, Patriarch Rai reiterated his stated positions concerning the commitment to practicing democracy and the constitution as a fundamental and natural mechanism for resolution, reaffirming that "electing a president is the exclusive gateway for the proper functioning of constitutional institutions and the return of political life to normality."
### Barkdounian
Le Drian also met with the Secretary-General of the Tashnaq Party and Head of the Armenian MPs' Bloc, MP Hagop Barkdounian, where discussions revolved around the outcomes of Le Drian's talks with political parties regarding the presidency. The Tashnaq party confirmed in a statement that "the discussion was fruitful and positive, emphasizing the need to continue communications and discussions with Lebanese parties, and work on avoiding conditions and high rhetoric to reach a consensus candidate as a fundamental entry point to start resolving the current crisis in the country."
### Shamoun
Le Drian also met with the Head of the National Liberal Party, MP Camille Dori Shamoun, at the Pine Palace, in the presence of Garo and senior officials from the French Embassy. Shamoun, according to a statement from his party, emphasized his commitment to "conduct the election as soon as possible within constitutional frameworks, stressing that regardless of the name, what matters is to elect a sovereign and reformist president, liberated from constraints, who works on implementing all aspects of the Taif Agreement, particularly administrative decentralization."
It is worth noting that Le Drian continues his meetings with Lebanese officials as part of the discussions surrounding the presidential file and the ongoing vacancy crisis, seeking ways to end the vacuum and reactivate political institutions, without proposing any new initiatives, contenting himself with gathering their viewpoints, especially regarding the qualifications for the president and their positions on dialogue, particularly the initiative of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.
