Le Drian begins talks with Lebanese officials

The French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian held talks Wednesday with President Joseph Aoun in Baabda.

He left without making a statement.

A statement issued by the Presidency said Aoun told Le Drian that he is looking forward to meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday in Paris to “thank him again for the role he is playing in supporting Lebanon,” especially “his personal role in facilitating the presidential election.”

Aoun added that the issue of reforms is his top priority in addition to “the reconstruction of the towns and villages destroyed by Israeli bombardment during the latest war.”

“Work will continue to restore confidence inside the country and with the foreign forces, especially amid the presence of available chances that must be benefited from, topped by the French support for Lebanon and the efforts that President Macron is leading in this regard,” the president added.

He also lamented the continuation of Israeli attacks and stressed the need for the ceasefire sponsors to “press Israel to commit to it to preserve their credibility.”

Talks also tackled the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Le Drian later held meetings with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

The Progressive Socalist Party’s al-Anbaa news portal said Le Drian will discuss with Lebanese officials “the file of reconstruction and the appointments in sensitive posts, topped by the central bank governor post, after Samir Assaf apologized for not being able to assume this sensitive post and consensus was apparently reached on Karim Soaid.”

Le Drian will also discuss the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and the security situation in the South, as well as preparations for a French conference for supporting Lebanon and its reconstruction, al-Anbaa added.