Sarkozy Sends Envoys to Beirut, Damascus Amid Demands for Cabinet Formation Without Delay
French presidential envoy Henry Guaino is expected on Saturday to deliver a message to President Michel Suleiman that his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy stresses Paris” support for Lebanon”s sovereignty, freedom and independence.
Beirut media said Guaino, who arrived in Beirut the day before, will meet with Suleiman at noon Saturday. During his three-day visit, Sarkozy”s top advisor will also hold talks with Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker PM Fouad Saniora, PM-designate Saad Hariri, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and most probably other clerics.
An Nahar daily quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Guaino will inform Suleiman about Sarkozy”s keenness for cabinet formation "without delay" and express worries about any new obstacles facing Hariri.
Guaino”s meetings with Lebanese officials come in parallel with Elysee Secretary-General Claude Gueant”s visit to Damascus on Sunday on a mission linked to Lebanese cabinet formation and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem”s stay in Paris.
The diplomatic sources said Gueant”s mission in Syria includes following up the results of contacts between Syrian officials and some Lebanese leaders and urging Damascus to facilitate cabinet formation in not more than 10 days.
The sources said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will also travel to Beirut on a cultural mission. However, he will hold talks with Lebanese officials on the political situation.
They added that Sarkozy is making every attempt to help end the cabinet crisis and will not stop efforts until agreement is reached among bickering parties on a government lineup.
Meanwhile, the French foreign ministry spokesman described Muallem”s visit to Paris as important on Friday.
"We discussed the Lebanese file and French authorities expressed hope that all Lebanese parties would agree on cabinet formation," the spokesman said adding France reiterated its commitment to Lebanon”s unity and sovereignty.