Lebanon opposition leaders in France

Islam Times reports from Al-Nahar: Leaders of the March 14 alliance have traveled to Paris to discuss with Hariri the approach that the opposition should take following the formation of Lebanon's new cabinet.

Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel, lawmaker Marwan Hamadeh and former lawmakers Fares Soaid, Samir Franjieh and Bassem al-Sabaa are among the March 14 leaders who have traveled to France in recent days.

Director of Hariri's office, Nader Hariri, has also visited Paris in the past few days.

Some reports, however, suggest that the opposition leaders traveled to France to discuss internal and regional developments with Hariri.

Lawmaker Butros Harb confirmed to Voice of Lebanon radio station that March 14 leaders traveled to Paris to meet Hariri, saying the former Lebanese premier is there for security reasons.

“Meetings are being held away from the media spotlight to set plans for the next stage,” he said.

Hariri's government collapsed in January following the resignation of 11 ministers from the coalition cabinet in a dispute over a US-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of his father and former premier Rafiq Hariri.

New Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, from March 8 alliance, announced a new cabinet last week, nearly five months after he was nominated.

The 30-member cabinet still needs a vote of confidence from parliament.

Hariri's Future Movement (al-Mustaqbal) has boycotted the new government.