Paris Says Seeking 'Int'l Conference' to Resolve Lebanon's Political Crisis

France announced Monday that it is seeking to hold an “international conference” aimed at helping Lebanon resolve its “constitutional and political crises.”

“The French foreign minister will visit Lebanon on May 27 for talks with all Lebanese political parties and authorities with the aim of preparing for an international conference to resolve the constitutional and political crises,” French Ambassador to Lebanon Emmanuel Bonne said after meeting Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

Describing French FM Jean-Marc Ayrault's upcoming visit as “very important,” Bonne said he reminded Bassil that French President Francois Hollande's trip to Lebanon in April had involved a call for “reaching a political understanding that would lead to the election of a president, the formation of a national unity government and the election of a truly representative parliament.”

“Any solution proposal should be built with all the parties, seeing as we can help, support and talk with everyone. We actually talk with everyone, but we cannot vote instead of the Lebanese MPs themselves,” Bonne added, in response to a question.

“We want to push the international community to act and we would then see what shape and format would be most appropriate to hold this conference,” the ambassador said.

Noting that the responsibility for “resolving Lebanon’s crisis” falls on “the Lebanese themselves,” Bonne underlined that “the international community must do everything in its capacity to preserve peace, security and stability in this country.”

Asked whether Ayrault will meet with any Hizbullah officials, the French envoy said the visit's program is still being prepared.

But he added: “As you know, we have ties with Hizbullah, and we talk with them at various levels. For example, when the head of the French Senate visited Beirut in September, he met with a Hizbullah delegation, and I also meet with Hizbullah officials from time to time.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 due to electoral rivalry and sharp political disputes among the parties.

After a Paris meeting with ex-PM Saad Hariri last year, Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh emerged as a serious presidential candidate but the proposal to nominate Franjieh was met with reservations from Lebanon's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.

Franjieh's main competitor, Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun, enjoys key support from Hizbullah and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and has refused to withdraw from the race.

Y.R.