Report: Le Drian's dialogue to be held within days despite possible boycotts

The dialogue that French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian has called for will be held “within a few days” despite the “pessimistic atmosphere” that is still surrounding it, informed sources said.

“The dialogue will still take place and it has not been affected by the objections of the Lebanese Forces party and some parties and components of the camp that calls itself sovereign and pro-change opposition,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Monday.

“The call for dialogue will not include the 38 parties who received Le Drian’s ‘two-question letter’, seeing as there is a near-final prior agreement on the participation of 15 parties at the most,” the sources added.

“Even if the LF boycotts, that will not have negative repercussions on dialogue if the Free Patriotic Movement participates in it in its capacity as the other main Christian party,” the sources said.

As for dialogue’s venue, it will be held either at the Pine Residence or in parliament.

“Contrary to the expectations that dialogue would be held at the headquarters of the French embassy at the Pine Residence, dialogue’s venue is yet to be decided and this depends on the consultations that Le Drian will make during his next visit,” the sources said.

“Le Drian will manage the dialogue should it be held at the Pine Residence, whereas Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab will preside over dialogue and manage it should it be held in parliament,” the sources added.