Report: Le Drian discussed Lebanon with Saudi official in Riyadh

French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian has visited Riyadh last week and met with Saudi Royal Court adviser Nizar al-Aloula over the Lebanese presidential file, diplomatic sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper.

Le Drian discussed with Aloula the results of the five-nation group's initiative and his last meeting with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, the daily said Monday.

The five-nation group, which comprises the ambassadors of the U.S., France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, had met earlier this month with opposition MPs who announced two suggestions to facilitate the election of a president.

The opposition suggested presidential consultations in parliament that would not be chaired by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and proposed that otherwise Berri would call for an open presidential election session, during which MPs and blocs would hold consultations outside parliament’s hall after the first round of voting and then return to vote in successive rounds.