BEIRUT: Lebanese politicians should resolve their issues domestically, French presidential envoy on Francophone affairs Jean-Pierre Raffarin said Monday, expressing hope for a swift Cabinet formation.
“We hope that the Lebanese officials will resolve their issues domestically; Lebanese officials should know that France is loyal to its friendship with Lebanon and will rely on Lebanese politicians to find solutions to their domestic issues,” Raffarin told reporters following his meeting with Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati.
Raffarin also said that France wanted to see an independent, stable and sovereign Lebanon, expressing confidence in Lebanon’s ability to determine its own future.
"It is apparent that there are many factors preventing stability in the region, but what is important is to gather support for Lebanon and help it become the hub for stability and growth which the region needs,” the French official said.
Lebanon has been under a caretaker government for four months, following the collapse of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s toppled Cabinet. Mikati was appointed by the Hezbollah-led March 8 alliance to form the next Cabinet.
The two officials also discussed current developments in the formation of the new Cabinet, which would be an opportunity to resume cooperation between the ministries in both countries on a number of joint projects.
“We respect the sovereignty of Lebanon and adhere to its unity and coexistence among its citizens, and we believe that Lebanon is currently a model for cultural diversity,” the French official said.
Raffarin also met with Hariri and discussed the peace process in the Middle East and events in Lebanon.