Girault Kicks Off Beirut Visit by Meeting Berri, Bassil

Visiting Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa at the French Foreign Ministry Jean-François Girault kicked off on Tuesday a two-day official visit to Lebanon.

The French diplomat met for an hour with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil at the Bustros Palace, in presence of Ambassador Patrice Paoli.

He later met with Speaker Nabih Berri.

The official described the meeting as “fruitful,” without making any further statements.

Ad Diyar newspaper reported earlier on Tuesday that Girault is preparing for a visit to Beirut by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and another by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Girault's visit comes in light of his country's insistence to resolve the presidential deadlock in Lebanon and ease the tension.

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.

The French diplomat, according to Ad Diyar, is expected to hold talks with the political arch-foes, including Hizbullah.

Girault will also seek to reactivate talks on a new head of state, despite previous knowledge that foreign countries are impeding the elections, the newspaper reported.

The visit comes in light of Girault's recent talks in Riyadh, Tehran, Washington and the Vatican over the presidential crisis in Lebanon. He also met with al-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 visit 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.

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