5 nations 'inclined to end Lebanon vacuum', Doha to help financially

There is an Arab and international inclination to end the presidential vacuum in Lebanon, especially after Central Bank acting governor Wassim Mansouri said the bank will stop lending the government, highly informed sources said.

“Qatar might be willing to help Lebanon financially and to encourage investment in it if all political forces show leniency and concessions that would contribute to ending the presidential void,” the sources told the PSP’s al-Anbaa news portal in remarks published Tuesday.

Citing information obtained from the five nations that are working on stopping Lebanon’s crisis, the sources said the foreign ministers of these countries will soon hold a meeting to follow up on the developments in Lebanon. The five-nation committee for Lebanon comprises representatives of the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.

“This was the reason behind the meeting that was held in Diman between Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari,” the sources added.

“The Qatari drive towards the political forces is focused on three names: Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, MP Neemat Frem and ex-minister Ziad Baroud,” the sources said.

Baroud “took part in Maarab’s mass on Sunday and he is known for his relation with MP Jebran Bassil, that’s why this participation might have presidential indications,” the sources added.