Macron's move reshuffles cards, opposition sees it as favorable
French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to name a special envoy for Lebanon “reflects the French leader’s positive response to the urgent demands by the Vatican, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and several Lebanese forces as to changing the nature of the French team tasked with Lebanon’s presidential file,” a prominent Lebanese opposition leader said.
The decision “practically stands for ending the services of presidential adviser Patrick Durel, who is considered to be the godfather of the settlement calling for electing (Suleiman) Franjieh as president in return for naming Nawaf Salam as premier,” the leader added, in remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper.
The French move means that Paris will have “a new vision for the dialogue with the Lebanese forces and will shelve the previous mission, which was focused on convincing everyone with endorsing the settlement,” the leader said.
The decision “reshuffled the cards anew and perhaps it will open the door to a new round of dialogue with the Lebanese forces to avoid descent into a major clash,” the leader went on to say.
Macron has named his former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian as his personal envoy for Lebanon, in a new bid to end the country's political crisis, the French presidency said on Wednesday.
Le Drian will be charged with helping to find a "consensual and efficient" solution to the crisis which has intensified after the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion, said a presidential official, asking not to be named.
The official said Le Drian, who served for five years as foreign minister up to 2022, had vast experience in "crisis management" and would be heading to Lebanon "very soon."
There is an urgent need "to bring together a form of consensus" to allow the election of a president of Lebanon, which has been without a head of state for more than seven months because of the political deadlock, the official added.
08 June 2023, 16:05
03
France's engagement with Lebanon is primarily driven by self-interest rather than a genuine sense of friendship.France's focus lies in pursuing profitable business ventures with Iran rather than prioritizing the protection and support of Lebanon's Christian population or any other group for that matter, because France is no longer a Christian nation as secularism took over and the new cult is the LGBTQI+. This de facto leads to a lack of concern for the well-being of Christians whether it's in Lebanon or elswhere.
08 June 2023, 17:21
03
Spot on.
The sooner the Lebanese distance themselves from France the better.
08 June 2023, 18:22
02
With utmost sincerity, I want to express that the statement I made holds significant meaning to me. It is not a sentiment that I express casually or without due consideration. The reason for my deep connection to this matter lies in the fact that I possess a familial heritage that traces back to the people of France. Specifically, my ancestor, six generations ago, sought refuge in another land due to the persecution they faced in France during the Revolution.
09 June 2023, 00:46
00
I am disinclined to ever consider relocating to the United States or Canada, as they seemingly surpass Europe in the realms of decline and decadence, to quote your sentiment. The once-cherished American Dream appears to have faded into oblivion, while the existing state of moral principles, in my humble estimation, has descended into a state of complete degeneracy. In all honesty, the prospects that await individuals in terms of freedom and prosperity are nothing short of horrifying. While I am eager to engage in an extensive discourse on this matter, Naharnet -for a good reason- restricts the number of characters available for discussion ;) Cheers!
