2023-11-29 17:06:00
In light of the ongoing search for extending the humanitarian truces in the Gaza Strip and reaching a ceasefire agreement, there is discussion among the countries concerned and interested in the Lebanese file to conclude an agreement on a comprehensive basket on Lebanon that includes an agreement on restructuring the authority and researching the southern border file, whether through implementing Implementing Resolution 1701, or maintaining the demarcation of the maritime borders and moving to ending the demarcation of the land borders, in addition to searching for a solution for the Shebaa Farms and Kafr Shuba Hills.
Developments in Gaza and southern Lebanon brought regarding amendments to the missions of international envoys to Lebanon, who were previously talking either regarding achieving presidential elections, like French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, or regarding achieving land demarcation, like American envoy Amos Hockstein.
But following the events of October 7, the files expanded. Fleudrian added to his previous mission the task of calling for the implementation of Resolution 1701 and warning Lebanon of a comprehensive war that Israel might launch, the result of which would be massive destruction and the attack on all institutions and facilities if the battles resumed in southern Lebanon and expanded to a complete opening of the front, in addition. The need to reach a radical and final solution to the southern border.
Le Drian arrived in Beirut from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following passing through the Qatari capital, Doha. Western diplomatic sources indicate that the research is focused on how to activate the work of the Group of Five countries (the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar) to reach a consensus in Lebanon, and in this context falls Le Drian’s tour, who stressed in the Lebanese capital the necessity of consensus among the Lebanese. To achieve the presidential entitlement, because the region will be entering negotiations to search for solutions, and Lebanon must be present and ready for that.
According to what follow-up sources say, Le Drian stressed to Lebanese officials the necessity of agreeing on the election of a president, and overcoming the differences, repeating the equation he had previously proposed regarding going to a third candidate, instead of Suleiman Franjieh and Jihad Azour. Here, the name of the Director General of Public Security, Major General Elias Al-Bisari, is presented as a consensus choice, given what multiple parties consider that he has a good relationship with everyone and does not provoke any party. With the introduction of Al-Bisari’s name, there is a decline in the proposal for the nomination of Army Commander Joseph Aoun, given that he did not achieve the required consensus. Some Lebanese parties are even discussing with the international forces supporting the extension of the Army Commander’s position, how to avoid an extension under the pretext that it will lead to delaying the presidential election because the extension is for Aoun. This means extending his candidacy and prolonging reaching a consensus on the presidency.
According to what diplomatic sources say, Le Drian asked the Saudis regarding their opinion of Al-Bisari, who were surprised by this movement between the names of the candidates, without expressing an opinion in support of this proposal, stressing their established equation of consensus among the Lebanese on a president who has the required specifications.
During his meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Le Drian stressed that “his visit to Lebanon aims to reaffirm the position of the Five-Year Committee by calling on the Lebanese to unify their position and accelerate the completion of the presidential elections, and to express readiness to assist them in this framework.”
1701280009
#Drian #Lebanese #officials #Prepare #region #negotiations
