PARIS: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri will attend talks in Paris Friday on the crisis triggered by his recent resignation announcement to be attended by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, France said Tuesday.
“The aim is to support the political process (in Lebanon) at a crucial moment,” the French foreign ministry said, minutes after Hariri announced he had rescinded his resignation.
“It will send a message both to the various parties in Lebanon and to countries in the region,” the ministry added.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council — the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China — will be represented at the meeting, along with Germany, Italy and Egypt.
French officials said the goal was to shore up Lebanese institutions, by strengthening the army and supporting Hariri’s economic program, with a view to encouraging foreign investment in the country.
Hariri to return to Paris Friday for Lebanon meeting
Updated 05 December 2017