Hariri Denies Trip Sought French Mediation with Saudi over Govt. Formation

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s media office denied media reports claiming that his latest visit to France was to seek French President Emmanuel Macron’s mediation with SA on the formation of Lebanon’s government.

“The recent visit by Hariri was purely a family visit and did not involve any contacts or meetings with officials abroad," his office said in a statement.

"Hariri’s relationship with the Saudi leadership in general and with Crown Prince (Mohammed bin Salman) in particular is an excellent, direct and fraternal relationship that does not require mediation from anyone,” it added.

Media reports on Tuesday claimed that in light of lingering stalemates hampering the formation of Lebanon’s government, Hariri has requested “French mediation efforts with Saudi Arabia” to facilitate the process.

Quoting what they named as prominent political sources, the reports said that according to “accurate information, Hariri’s latest trip to France was to request mediation of Macron, once again, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to facilitate the formation of the government.”

However they noted that “not long ago, Macron has mediated with the Saudis for the same purpose at Hariri’s request, but it wasn’t met with a response.”

France has played a mediation role back in 2017 when Hariri announced in November he was stepping down in a televised address from Riyadh, sparking rumors he was being detained against his will.

After French mediation, he rescinded his resignation the following month and was named premier for a third term this month after Lebanon's first parliamentary polls in nine years.

Hariri was tasked with forming a government on May 24, but he faces a number of obstacles in light of wrangling between political parties over Cabinet quotas.

Ongoing struggle between the Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement over Christian representation is one of the stalemates delaying the formation.

Druze leader and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat, insists on getting the whole 3-seat Druze Cabinet share, which is strongly denounced by Druze MP Talal Arslan who also demands a share in Cabinet.