Ahead of French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné’s arrival in Lebanon this weekend, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has followed up with French Ambassador Hervé Magro on the latest French proposals for addressing the explosive situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, a media report said.

“These proposals include the implementation of Resolution 1701 within a complete package that involves endorsing a third presidential choice,” diplomatic sources told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper in remarks published Friday.

Governmental sources meanwhile told the daily that U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein “has expressed his willingness to return to Lebanon before a truce enters into effect should Lebanon accept to separate the southern front from Gaza.”

Shiite Duo sources meanwhile told al-Joumhouria newspaper that “there will be no discussion of any settlement in the south before a ceasefire in Gaza.”

“The French player is a marginal player, because the main negotiators over the southern file are the Americans and their envoy Amos Hochstein,” the sources added.