French foreign minister in Beirut for talks to end gov’t deadlock

Jean-Yves Le Drian vows to send ‘firm’ message in meetings with Lebanese leaders aimed at speeding up cabinet formation.

Beirut, Lebanon – French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders in an attempt to end months of political paralysis that has stalled the formation of a new government in the crisis-hit country. Le Drian met President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace on Thursday morning for about 30 minutes. He is due to meet Speaker Nabih Berri later. According to the French Embassy in Lebanon, he is not scheduled to make a public statement.