Le Drian: Direct talks with Israel keep Lebanon from being 'held hostage'

Jean-Yves Le Drian is on roughly his 20th trip to Lebanon. He has made 14 as the personal envoy of French President Emmanuel Macron, and six more when he was defense minister and foreign minister. In an interview given Friday to L'Orient-Le Jour and two other media outlets, he noted that his current visit came "at a particular moment, coinciding with Washington's declaration." "It was desirable that this mediation and negotiation take place. Because it's important that Lebanon, as such, as a state, be an actor in a negotiation with other states," he pointed out."It had been 43 years since there was any direct [contact] between Lebanon and Israel. This happened now. It was essential for this negotiation to take place. It is desirable that it continue, because it will continue." "If this...