A fact-finding mission for Le Drian in Beirut

Beirut is this week awaiting the arrival of French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, as informed sources told Nidaa Al Watan that his mission is exploratory in nature and aims to reaffirm that France remains engaged in the Lebanese file.

However, the sources stress that this diplomatic move is not directly linked to the course of negotiations, because Washington has exclusive control over this file and does not allow Paris to intervene in it. Therefore, not much can be pinned on the French initiative, except in terms of moral support for Lebanon and reaffirming that France stands by its side.

The French presence comes in parallel with Paris’s move at the UN Security Council level, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot informed Foreign Minister and Emigrants Youssef Rajji that France will request an emergency session in light of the ongoing Israeli escalation in Lebanon, the widening scope of military operations, and evacuation orders.