French FM meets top Lebanese officials over presidential vote, reforms

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna met Friday morning with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Colonna had arrived Thursday evening in Beirut to meet with top Lebanese officials.

The aim of her visit is to underline "France's commitment to the proper functioning of Lebanese institutions", and France's role in a maritime border agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

"France has worked with its international partners" to reach this agreement, the foreign ministry said in a statement, welcoming the "historic" deal.

Colonna's visit comes as the prospect of a power vacuum looms with the end of President Michel Aoun's mandate and the failure on Thursday of parliament's latest attempt to elect a successor.

"A new president must be elected before the end of this month," Colonna said, in a press conference, before leaving Lebanon.

The Foreign Minister also urged the Lebanese officials to implement reforms.

Lebanon had approved the U.S.-brokered maritime border deal on Thursday, unlocking significant offshore gas production for Lebanon and Israel.

Aoun announced Lebanon's official approval, after Israel's cabinet expressed support for the deal.

"This historic agreement with Israel cannot replace reforms, which remain a priority," Colonna said, stressing that finalizing the deal with the World Bank is the only way for Lebanon to regain the trust of investors and to obtain the needed funding.