International diplomatic efforts regarding Lebanon are evolving along two tracks. The first focuses on arranging the situation in the south and seeking solutions to avoid escalation of the war and confrontations, while the second aims to activate the work of the quintet committee at the ambassadorial level in Beirut, where they are meeting today at the Pine Palace in preparation for the visit of French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian. The goal of the Pine Palace meeting is to reaffirm the necessity of committing the Lebanese to the criteria for the new president previously submitted in writing by Lebanese parliamentary blocs. Le Drian is expected to inform Lebanese officials of the need to come to an agreement on these criteria to elect a new president acceptable to the majority of political forces, establishing a political balance with an economic vision capable of restoring and improving Lebanon’s Arab and international relations. Following Le Drian's visit, discussions are anticipated to occur in bilateral, trilateral, or larger formats among the parliamentary blocs to reach an agreement on these criteria. Consequently, the Speaker of the Parliament is expected to call for a session to elect the president.
On the southern front, informed sources revealed to "Al-Jarida" that after Lebanon refused to provide any response to the French document that was handed over unofficially by the French Foreign Minister to Lebanese officials, and following criticism from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, the French are working on modifying the document for formal submission to Lebanon, noting that this document must align with the efforts of Amos Hochstein. Additionally, there is reported Lebanese rejection of the British proposal to establish monitoring towers in the south, as these towers would be directed solely inward toward Lebanon and would have listening capabilities over a distance of 40 km.
In the meantime, Paris is preparing for a special meeting to support the Lebanese army on the 27th of this month, coordinated with Washington, which will be discussed during an upcoming phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, following a call from Macron to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Moreover, the visit of Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to France at the end of this month will also include discussions on the Lebanese file.
