Premier's Office to Naharnet: Date for Miqati's Visit to Paris 'Not Set Yet'
Prime Minister Najib Miqati's visit to Paris is still being discussed between Lebanese and French authorities after several local newspapers reported that the premier's visit to the French capital is being reconsidered due to French President Francois Hollande's “surprise” visit to Beirut on Sunday.
“No date has been scheduled yet to Miqati's visit to Paris,” the premier's office said on Saturday in comments to Naharnet.
“There's no link between Miqati's visit to Paris and Hollande's visit to Beirut... They're completely separate events,” it pointed out.
The PM's office noted that “French and Lebanese authorities are still discussing the date for Miqati's visit to Paris,” ruling out that the date mentioned in newspapers is accurate.
Hollande is due to arrive in Beirut on Sunday for a three-hour visit to meet with his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Suleiman.
An Nahar daily reported on Saturday that Miqati's visit to Paris scheduled on November 19-21 is being reconsidered after the recent political developments in Lebanon, which caused Hollande to “suddenly” add Beirut to his scheduled visit to the Middle East.
“Paris sought to include Beirut on Hollande's scheduled visit to the region so that it's stance would not be awkward if it welcomed Miqati, it would show Paris as if it supports a team against another,” An Nahar said.
As Safir newspaper also reported on Friday that the premier will reconsider his scheduled visit to France on November 18 in light of Hollande's “sudden” visit to Beirut.
The political crisis in Lebanon deepened the gap between the March 14-led opposition and the March 8 alliance after the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan on October 19.
Suleiman is carrying out consultations with various political powers on the possibility of resuming the all-party talks, however, the March 14-led opposition insists on the resignation of the cabinet as a main condition to continue any political activity with its foes, while the March 8 coalition rejects the formation of a new government.
Hollande has continuously reiterated on senior officials to avoid any political vacuum in the country and for the cabinet to continue its tasks.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://cdn.naharnet.com/stories/en/59342 |