French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is set to visit Lebanon next week to meet officials and discuss the country’s political crisis, Reuters reported on Friday.
Le Drian will travel on Wednesday, May 5th, and hold meetings with Lebanese officials on Thursday, May 6th, two sources informed on the matter told the agency.
The French official reportedly intends to meet President Michel Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, in addition to the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil.
France has been leading international efforts to put Lebanon on the path toward recovery from its worst economic crisis yet.
It has repeatedly called on Lebanese leaders to form a rescue, reform-capable government that would unlock international support for Lebanon.
However, Lebanon’s internal political disputes have held back the crucial process and given rise to threats of sanctions on Lebanese politicians by world leaders, including potential travel bans and asset freezes by the European Union.
The latest move in this regard was revealed by Minister Le Drian this week when he announced that France was putting in place measures restricting access to French territory for people involved in the political deadlock or in corruption.
