The leader of the Marada, Sleiman Frangieh. (Credit: OLJ Archive photo)
BEIRUT — Sleiman Frangieh arrived in Paris on Friday morning for talks with Patrick Durel, the adviser in charge of North Africa and the Middle East at the Élysée Palace, a source close to the Marada Movement leader told L'Orient-Le Jour.
Frangieh received an official invitation from Paris to discuss the presidential election with French officials, according to the source.
"It is expected that the French will ask Sleiman Frangieh for a series of guarantees in order to convince Saudi Arabia," said a second close to Frangieh.
Lebanon has been without a president since Nov. 1, 2022, due to a lack of political consensus around a single candidate. In recent weeks, diplomatic efforts have multiplied to end the deadlock.
Although he has not officially declared his candidacy, Frangieh is widely considered one of the most serious presidential candidates. He enjoys support from the powerful Amal-Hezbollah alliance, with the leaders of both parties officially endorsing his candidacy.
However, the absence of a green light from Saudi Arabia remains a major obstacle to his election. Lebanon hopes to receive financial and political support from the Kingdom in the coming years to mitigate its ongoing economic crisis.
Paris is proposing a swap to the Saudis, one in which the presidency would go to Franjieh and the premiership would go to a candidate approved by the Saudis.
Riyadh remains unconvinced for the moment.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman to discuss Lebanon's file, ten days after representatives of the two countries met Paris for the same purpose.
