Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s media office denied media reports claiming that his latest visit to France was to seek French President Emmanuel Macron’s mediation with SA on the formation of Lebanon’s government.
“The recent visit by Hariri was purely a family visit and did not involve any contacts or meetings with officials abroad," his office said in a statement.
"Hariri’s relationship with the Saudi leadership in general and with Crown Prince (Mohammed bin Salman) in particular is an excellent, direct and fraternal relationship that does not require mediation from anyone,” it added.
Media reports on Tuesday claimed that in light of lingering stalemates hampering the formation of Lebanon’s government, Hariri has requested “French mediation efforts with Saudi Arabia” to facilitate the process.
Quoting what they named as prominent political sources, the reports said that according to “accurate information, Hariri’s latest trip to France was to request mediation of Macron, once again, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to facilitate the formation of the government.”
However they noted that “not long ago, Macron has mediated with the Saudis for the same purpose at Hariri’s request, but it wasn’t met with a response.”