French presidential envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, is concluding his fourth visit to Lebanon today, where he was tasked with addressing the Lebanese presidential crisis.

An intriguing observation is the shift in priorities during Le Drian's meetings, with the presidential crisis taking a backseat to the extension of the term for Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and concerns about clashes on Lebanon's southern border with Israel.

The French efforts to restore stability in the south within the framework of Resolution 1701 have intensified, with Le Drian expressing heightened concern about the dangers facing Lebanon if it were to slide into war. However, he did not specify any amendments to UN Resolution 1701, contrary to rumors.

A notable development was the emphasis on extending the term of the army commander, causing a sharp clash between Le Drian and the main opponent of the extension, Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement. This disagreement led to a brief and tense meeting between Le Drian and Bassil, leaving repercussions for later discussions.

According to "Annahar" newspaper, Bassil engaged in a heated exchange with Le Drian, questioning the request to extend the term for the army commander and highlighting the inconsistency with respecting the constitution and laws.

Le Drian defended the urgency of maintaining the army's functionality, urging Lebanon to avoid entering new crises. The dispute underscored the tension surrounding the extension and its potential impact on Lebanon's political landscape.