BEIRUT — The Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, hosted a meeting for the ambassadors of the Quintet Committee, where the latest developments on the Lebanese political scene were discussed, several local media reported Wednesday.

The five countries — the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt — became involved in the Lebanese presidential issue following the prolonged vacancy at the head of state when former President Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.

Diplomatic sources allegedly told LBCI that the Quintet discussed attempts by certain parties to impose specific criteria and realities on the prime minister-designate, Nawaf Salam, emphasizing the importance of completing his mandate in accordance with the anticipated reform agenda.

According to these sources, the ambassadors stressed the need to support the presidency and the upcoming government, rejecting any conditions imposed on the prime minister-designate, particularly regarding the monopolization of ministries by any single party or sect.

The sources noted that the ambassadors' meeting coincided with bilateral and trilateral discussions among the five countries at the level of officials responsible for the Lebanese file, with the Saudi foreign minister's visit expected to be followed by visits from his Kuwaiti and Qatari counterparts to Lebanon.

The Quintet reaffirmed "its unified stance on internal political deadlines and coordination on shared issues related to supporting Lebanon and monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the Israeli withdrawal from the south," LBCI reported. 

During the two year presidential deadlock, the Quintet regularly met with Lebanese officials and pressed for the election  of a president.