US, Qatar to press opposition to 'unite behind army chief nomination'

The United States and Qatar are pressing the Lebanese opposition forces to “unite behind the presidential nomination of Army chief General Joseph Aoun,” ad-Diyar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Al-Joumhouria daily meanwhile quoted the ambassador of a major world power as saying that “the September dialogue is considered the last chance for survival for Lebanon.”

“French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian will arrive in Beirut (in September) on a third visit for swift consultations with the political parties before sending out official invitations to 15 representatives of the parliamentary blocs for taking part in this dialogue,” the newspaper said.

The dialogue “is likely to be held at the headquarters of the French embassy at the Pine Residence and will last for two or three days at the latest,” the daily added.