Feltman Visits France to Support His Allies in Lebanon

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman is in Paris for talks on the latest developments in Lebanon, particularly to support his allies following a major blow they faced. He also tackled the latest developments in Tunisia.
Feltman visited Paris for 24 hours where he met with Patrice Paoli, the French Foreign Ministry's director of African and Middle East affairs, as well as the French President's Middle East consultant Nicolas Gali. 

As Safir daily quoted sources in Paris as saying that the Elysee palace considers Premier-designate Najib Mikati as an "acceptable consensus candidate particularly that he receives Saudi support." 

According to the paper, the sources also said that the Elysee palace has accepted the idea of Hariri loosing premiership after the collapse of the Syrian Saudi initiative and letting go all the commitments he had made.

Feltman reportedly told French officials with whom he held talks during his visit to Paris that the international community should receive pledges from Mikati that his cabinet wouldn't obstruct state institutions or shun ex-PM Rafik Hariri's aides. Also, he previewed Washington's point of view on the issue, saying Mikati was assigned under pressure and blackmail. Feltman also on behalf of the US, called on France to prevent any Syrian intervention or exploitation of the situation in Lebanon, noting that Hizbullah's control over the government will affect the relations between Lebanon and the United States.

As Safir's sources said the U.S. diplomat plans to hold talks with several March 14 officials in Paris. The newspaper said MP Marwan Hamadeh and Caretaker Defense Minister Elias Murr arrived in the French capital on Tuesday.