On Thursday, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed that Paris "does not have any candidate in Lebanon " for the presidency of the republic, and this came after Lebanese media reported possible French support for former minister Suleiman Franjieh for this vacant position six months ago.

"The Lebanese must choose their leaders," said ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre, referring to the message sent by Paris in recent months.

Lebanon has witnessed a presidential vacancy since the end of President Michel Aoun 's term on October 31, without an agreement among the deeply divided political class over his successor.
This political crisis exacerbated the country's economic stagnation.

The spokeswoman stressed that "the Lebanese authorities must assume their responsibilities and break the political stalemate in order to quickly elect a new president," adding that the vacancy "casts a shadow first on the Lebanese people."

Lebanon is witnessing one of the worst economic crises in the world since 1850, according to World Bank estimates, with a sharp rise in prices, a historic decline in the value of the national currency, unprecedented impoverishment of the people, and a serious shortage of basic commodities.

She added, "The matter is related to electing a new president and forming a government with full powers that will be able to implement the reforms that Lebanon and the Lebanese people urgently need in the face of the serious crisis they are going through."

The ministry indicated that France is in "many contacts with Lebanese political parties."
And calls for the International Monetary Fund to implement the necessary reforms to provide the necessary assistance to the country.