Le Drian returns to Beirut Monday, may call for 'consensual president'

French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian will return to Beirut on Monday after presenting to French President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna his report on the outcome of talks with the Lebanese, regional and international parties, sources in Paris said.

“Le Drian might carry an attempt to establish consensus among the domestic parties in order to elect a consensual president who would be acceptable to a Lebanese majority according to the characteristics of the five-nation committee,” the sources told Annahar newspaper in remarks published Saturday.

Political sources meanwhile told al-Akhbar newspaper that “the Qataris have already arrived in Beirut and started a parallel endeavor that has a bigger margin than the French drive.”

“Qatari officials have met with some political forces, including with the MPs of the (National) Moderation bloc and officials from the (Shiite) Duo,” the sources added.

Several sources meanwhile told the daily that the Qataris believe that the French initiative ended after the Doha meeting of the five-nation group and that a French-sponsored dialogue might take place “without an Arab or international cover for it.”

“The Qataris discussed the name of Army chief Joseph Aoun with some of those whom they met, tackling with them the possibility of his election as president and whether the current stage allows that he be promoted.”