AOUN Meets Farnaud, Says Will Continue Contacts Over Parliamentary Consultations

13 Nov 2019

Lebanon - President Michel Aoun on Wednesday maintained that the new government will abide by the reform plan approved by the previous Cabinet, in addition to the anti-corruption laws which the Parliament must endorse.

During his meeting with Head of North Africa and Middle East Department at the French Foreign Ministry, Christophe Farnaud, Aoun said that he would continue his contacts to hold the binding parliamentary consultations to designate a new prime minister.

Hoping that the consultations will soon kick off, the President stressed that the new government must include both politicians and technocrats.

"The economic situation is deteriorating due to the protests and the turmoil, in addition to the negative reverberations of the presence of more than 1.5 million Syrian displaced in Lebanon," he said, expecting better conditions with the beginning of oil and gas drilling operations in a few months.

For his part, Farnaud conveyed to his host the greetings of French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

He also expressed France's concern with the situation in Lebanon and keenness on the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as on the unity of the Lebanese people.

Moreover, he indicated that his country was ready to help Lebanon exit the current crisis.

BASSIL Meets Farnaud, Says Foreign Sides Must Not Interfere in Current Crisis

13 Nov 2019

Lebanon - Caretaker Foreign Minister, Gebran Bassil, met Wednesday with Head of North Africa and Middle East Department at the French Foreign Ministry, Christophe Farnaud, in presence of French Ambassador Bruno Foucher.

During the meeting, Bassil thanked France for its concern with Lebanon and efforts to preserve the country's stability and prevent its slip into chaos and financial collapse.

He also told his guest that foreign sides must neither interfere in nor take advantage of the current crisis in Lebanon.

He added that the government formation issue had reached "advanced and positive stages."

"Lebanon is committed to the course of Cedre conference, regardless of the form of the next government," Bassil said.