Le Drian to visit Beirut Jan. 7, Israel unsatisfied with Paris' efforts

The French president’s special envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, will return to Beirut on January 7, An-Nahar newspaper reported on Friday.

“His visit will focus the army support conference and moving forward in approving the financial gap law,” the daily said.

Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan will also visit Beirut next week.

Israel’s Maariv newspaper meanwhile reported that Israel is dismayed because France is “refraining from throwing its weight behind disarming Hezbollah at this stage.”

“Israel says France is a key player in Lebanon and has even pledged to work to supervise the Lebanese government in implementing the ceasefire agreement, but it is not acting as expected,” Maariv added.