Le Drian returns Monday, Berri sets up dialogue table in parliament

French presidential envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian will return Monday to Lebanon for his second visit to the country in less than a month, carrying “signals and messages” to the local forces from the parties of the five-nation group for Lebanon, al-Akhbar newspaper reported.

Speaking to the daily, informed sources did not express optimism over the possibility of any imminent breakthrough, voicing strong doubts over “Le Drian’s ability to reach political consensus, especially over the idea of dialogue that he is proposing.”

Visitors of Speaker Nabih Berri meanwhile quoted him as saying that Le Drian is supposed to be carrying a call for dialogue.

“Dialogue will be general and not bilateral and we have set up the dialogue table in parliament. We prefer that it be held there, knowing that the French have proposed holding it at the Pine Residence, while some have suggested that it be held outside Lebanon,” Berri said.

He added that he will take part in dialogue through a representative seeing as he is a “party” and not a mediator.

Asked whether Le Drian has received the parties’ approval to take part in dialogue, Berri said: “We will see when he comes.”

Berri added that he “pinning hope on the Saudi-Iranian agreement,” seeing as “its positive impact has started appearing in all regional arenas.”

“Those who are not seeing the changes are blind and this impact should manifest itself in Lebanon no matter how much time it takes,” Berri said.