The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted what was reported by Lebanese media about France's support for former Minister Suleiman Franjieh to assume the presidency of Lebanon. And she confirmed that Paris “does not have any candidate in Lebanon” for this vacant position 6 months ago. "The Lebanese must choose their leaders," ministry spokeswoman Anne Claire Legendre said, repeating a message that Paris had previously sent to the Lebanese.
She called on the Lebanese authorities to assume their responsibilities and break the political deadlock to quickly elect a new president, adding that the vacancy “casts a shadow first on the Lebanese people.” She added that the matter is related to electing a new president and forming a government with full powers that will be able to implement the reforms that Lebanon and the Lebanese people urgently need in the face of the serious crisis they are going through. The spokeswoman pointed out that France is in many contacts with the Lebanese political parties.
Lebanon has witnessed a presidential vacancy since the end of President Michel Aoun's term on October 31, without an agreement between the deeply divided political class over his successor. This political crisis exacerbated the country's economic stagnation.
Lebanon is facing one of the worst economic crises in the world since 1850, according to World Bank estimates, with a sharp rise in prices, a historic decline in the value of the national currency, unprecedented impoverishment of the people, and a serious shortage of basic commodities. The International Monetary Fund calls on Lebanon to implement the necessary reforms to provide the necessary assistance to the country.
Okaz (Paris) @okaz_online
