Doha says US-French clash prevented 5-nation statement on Lebanon

Disagreements between the U.S. and France in the five-nation committee on Lebanon prevented the issuance of a statement after a meeting called for by Paris at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad said overnight.

“It is regrettable for the suffering of the Lebanese people to protract due to political calculations,” Sheikh Tamim added, warning that “state institutions in Lebanon are in danger and it is necessary to find a solution for the presidential vacuum.”

Al-Akhbar newspaper meanwhile reported that the meeting witnessed “U.S. objection to the French management of the Lebanese file.”

Washington “even demanded a specific timeframe for (French envoy Jean-Yves) Le Drian’s mission,” the daily said.

“The French-Saudi rapprochement that Le Drian and (Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid) Bukhari were keen to highlight did not receive support from the Americans, who are clearly pushing for assigning the mission to Qatar,” the newspaper added.