French-Saudi talks in Paris as army chief emerges as top presidential candidate
As the deadline for Lebanon’s presidential vote nears, the domestic haggling is being accompanied by European and Arab meetings, media reports said on Monday.
“A meeting has been held in Paris between French presidential advisor Patrick Durrell, French General Directorate for External Security head Bernard Émié, French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo, Saudi Royal Court advisor Nizar al-Aloula, a senior Saudi security official and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari,” al-Liwaa newspaper reported.
Media reports meanwhile said that Army Commander General Joseph Aoun has emerged as the leading candidate in the presidential race.
There are efforts to “elect a figure who is capable of respecting the constitution and the Taef Accord, working on pulling Lebanon away from axes, and returning Lebanon to its Arab environment,” al-Liwaa added.
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