Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday welcomed at the Grand Serail French Presidential Envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who visited him in the company of French Ambassador to Lebanon, Anne Grillo.

On emerging, Le Drian said that the purpose of his first visit to Lebanon was to assess the situation and seek solutions to the multiple crises that Lebanon currently endured.

Le Drian added that he also expected to discuss with various parties the means to reach the lengthily awaited solutions.

In turn, Mikati stressed that “the key to the desired solution lies in the election of a new president.”

“The government has implemented the required reform projects and signed the initial agreement with the International Monetary Fund,” Mikati added, noting that the Parliament’s approval of said projects “will provide momentum for the desired economic and social solutions.”

Le Drian meets Rahi in Bkirki

Visiting French envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, accompanied by French Ambassador to Lebanon, Anne Grillo, on Thursday visited Bkerki for a meeting with Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi.

In the wake of the meeting, Le Drian reiterated that “the objective of the visit is to assist in finding a way out of the crisis that Lebanon is suffering from.”

“We had an extensive meeting with Patriarch Rahi, during which we discussed the political and social crisis. I explained to the patriarch the importance of my mission, and we will continue to engage with all the parties in Lebanon to expedite the resolution of the political crisis,” he added following the meeting.

“I will strive to set an agenda of reforms that gives hope for Lebanon to overcome its crisis. I do not come with any preconceived proposals. However, I will listen to everyone, and the solution primarily comes from the Lebanese themselves,” Le Drian concluded.

Le Drian hosted a launch for Head of Marada Movement Sleiman Franjiyeh at Pine Palace, discussing with him the presidential file.

Franjiyeh thanked, in a tweet, Le Drian for his invitation, indicating that it enhances the positive cooperation with France in the future.

In the same context, the French envoy also met with Head of Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil for an hour at the latter’s residence in Al-Bayada.

Le Drian had started his meetings Wednesday with House Speaker Nabih Berri who described the discussions with the French presidential envoy.

Media reports indicated that Le Drian visit does not carry any initiative pertaining the Lebanese presidential elections, adding that the French envoy will just urge the Lebanese officials to engage in a national dialogue.

Source: Al-Manar English Website