Qatar expected to replace France in presidential file efforts

A Qatari delegate will visit Lebanon prior to French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian’s upcoming trip to the country, al-Jadeed TV reported.

“This points to the disunity of the five-nation committee, seeing as the Qataris and Americans are not betting on the French initiative,” al-Jadeed added.

Al-Akhbar newspaper meanwhile said that “it is premature to conclude that the French initiative in the presidential file has ended,” while noting that “the political forces are awaiting an imminent Qatari drive.”

“This impression is based on the activity of Qatari security officials and Qatar has never been absent from the domestic scene in the first place,” the daily added.

“There are reports saying that Doha will not enter the Lebanese arena except after Paris officially exits it, amid information that Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are willing to show leniency towards the solutions that Doha will carry, contrary to what happened with Paris,” al-Akhbar said.