Following previous media discussion about and announcements of a visit that has been postponed for months, French President Francois Hollande is to arrive in Beirut on April 16 as part of a four-day tour of the Middle East.

A source close to Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil told Al-Monitor that “Bustros Palace, which houses the Foreign Ministry, has been working with officials at the French Embassy for days on finalizing the schedule of Hollande’s visit.”

The source said, “The schedule contains a clear protocol issue due to the presidential vacuum,” but added that Hollande still "will make a visit to two Lebanese officials who do not hold the title of head of state. These are Prime Minister Tammam Salam and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.”

The source said no other visits have been scheduled for Hollande. Even Maronite Patriarch of Antioch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi is not on the list for a visit, even though the seat of the Maronite Church in Bkerke has several centuries of relations with Paris and a standing tradition whereby every French president visiting Beirut would visit the patriarch at the patriarchal edifice.