Five-nation group for Lebanon to propose 'new initiative'

The five-nation group for Lebanon is preparing a “new initiative” that it will propose soon in a bid to break the presidential deadlock in Lebanon, “credible” sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper.

“The new U.S. ambassador Lisa Johnson and French Ambassador Herve Magro are holding intensive consultations with several sides, while Qatar has reactivated its mediation in Beirut,” the sources said.

The ambassadors of the five-nation group countries will meanwhile hold a meeting in the next hours, likely at the Saudi ambassador’s residence in Yarze, to continue the public diplomatic efforts that were manifested in the meetings of the Saudi and Egyptian ambassadors with Speaker Nabih Berri, the sources added.

Informed sources meanwhile told the daily that the five-nation group’s next meeting will likely be held in Paris and will be followed by a visit to Lebanon in mid-February by the group’s envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian.

“He will carry new ideas to push the Lebanese to agree on a president,” the sources added.