Girault Returns to Beirut Monday with Low Expectations on Ending Presidential Impasse

Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry Jean-François Girault is expected to return to Beirut on Monday to continue his efforts to achieve a breakthrough in the ongoing deadlock over the presidential elections, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

Observers ruled out the possibility that the French official would be able to create a breakthrough in his talks with local figures.

They explained that foreign capitals are “not prepared to abandon the presidential card to France that is facing a series of failures in its Middle Eastern policies.”

“Iran, should it choose to cooperate to end the impasse, would rather work directly with the American administration, not mediators, especially not French ones,” they added.

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of his successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the elections.

Girault's visit on Monday comes in light of his recent talks in Riyadh, Tehran, Washington and the Vatican over the presidential crisis. He also met with Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia.

Media reports said last week that the French official decided to suspend his endeavors to reach a breakthrough regarding the presidential stalemate in Lebanon unless new developments occur.

Girault last visited Lebanon in December, where he met during his two-day trip prominent Lebanese officials.

The French diplomat was tasked by French President Francois Hollande to try to reach a breakthrough over the presidential elections in Lebanon.

M.T.