BEIRUT — French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stern warning to Lebanese leaders after landing in Beirut Thursday, saying that other than emergency humanitarian aid, there would be no international aid without reforms.
Macron is the first world leader to visit Beirut after Tuesday’s massive blast in the port area of the city, which was housing highly explosive material. The explosion killed at least 145 people and wounded thousands more.
“Lebanon is facing political and economic crises and an urgent response to this is required,” the French president said after landing in the city a day after France sent three planes loaded with medical supplies and humanitarian help.
“If reforms are not made, Lebanon will continue to sink,” he said, referring to the energy sector, public tenders and corruption.
An Elysée official said: “The visit is also an opportunity to lay down the foundations for a pact for the reconstruction of Lebanon, binding for all, that will limit conflicts, offer immediate aid and open up a long-term perspective.”
Lebanon is facing a triple political, social and health crisis in addition to devastation from the blast that damaged large swaths of the city and destroyed the country’s main economic hub. Besides suffering from a severe economic downturn and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it is facing growing tensions as many people accuse the country’s elite of corruption and malpractice, which they say led to Tuesday’s catastrophe.
The French president was mobbed by crowds calling on him to save them and Lebanon from the corrupt ruling class as he toured some of the devastated streets close to the site of the blast. Locals called for the end of the regime while denouncing Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun.
Later today, Macron is expected at the presidential palace for meetings with “all political actors.” He said he would deliver some “home truths,” including to Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
On Thursday morning, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to Diab by phone and stressed that the European Union attaches great importance to “the unity and stability of Lebanon.”
“She emphasised that this tragic moment for Lebanon should be the occasion to unite all political forces around a national effort to respond to the many challenges the country is facing. The European Union will stand by Lebanon in this endeavour,” according to a statement from the Commission.
On Wednesday, the Commission announced the deployment of over 100 trained and equipped firefighters to work with the Lebanese authorities and activated the Copernicus satellite mapping system to help assess the extent of the damage.
Von der Leyen also pledged over €33 million for “first emergency needs, medical support and equipment, and protection of critical infrastructure,” the statement said.