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VFour weeks after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron is increasing pressure to reform the political leadership of the country in crisis. During a visit to the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, Macron warned that long-term international aid would only be paid for if reform measures had been started in October. Then there will be a “follow-up mechanism,” he announced.
The political parties had agreed to form a government made up of experts. He expects the government to deliver a reform plan within six to eight weeks. “There is no such thing as a blank check,” Macron said. If reforms, including a central bank review, are not decided by the end of October, there will be consequences. Then, international financial aid will be withheld after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut.
He proposed a repeat international donor conference. Under the auspices of the United Nations, this could take place in Paris in the second half of October, Macron said at an evening press conference. The progress in Lebanon is there. Macron stressed that the international community must continue its efforts for the Lebanese.
Reforms in the energy, banking and judicial sectors
The leaders of the political forces in the Mediterranean country had agreed that a new government should be formed in the next 15 days, Macron said. The former ambassador to Germany, Mustafa Adib, had already been appointed Prime Minister. Paris does not interfere: “It is not up to me to appoint the leaders,” said the head of state.
In an interview with the “Politico” news site, Macron said the next three months were “critical” for real change. If this fails, it will change course and take punitive action. Sanctions could also be imposed on the ruling class. “This is the last chance for this system.”
Macron attended a celebration north of Beirut on Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lebanon. There he planted a cedar, the country’s national symbol. Then he returned to visit the port to get an idea of the situation. There he denounced, among other things, widespread corruption.
Reforms are necessary in the energy, banking and judicial sectors. “Everything is ready, but political will is needed,” he said. Macron announced another visit. In December he plans to return to Lebanon “to do the rest,” he said.
For months, Lebanon has been experiencing one of the worst economic and financial crises in its history. The corona pandemic and the explosion have made the situation worse. Much of the population has fallen into poverty and the country is threatened with national bankruptcy. Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in the world.
The protesters are protesting the government on Tuesday and also criticize the fact that Macron is dealing with the “old” leadership.
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Bild: AP
The country is also in a deep political crisis. The government resigned after the explosion. On Monday, the main political blocs appointed the former Lebanese ambassador to Germany, Mustafa Adib, as the new prime minister. “This is the first cornerstone of a new stage,” Macron explained.
But that is not enough for many Lebanese. For months there have been repeated massive protests. The protesters accuse the political elite of corruption and self-enrichment, among other things. He is calling for a fundamental reform of the political system. Germany and other countries also joined this call.
As Macron held talks with Lebanese officials at the French ambassador’s residence in the late afternoon, dozens of protesters threw stones at the parliament building. Some protesters tried to climb concrete blocks and iron bars at the entrance to Parliament. Riot police fired tear gas to separate them. The protesters criticized Macron’s meetings with the country’s “old leadership” and chanted for a “new Lebanon.”
New elections in twelve months
The French head of state told Politico that he wanted political party leaders to make credible reform commitments, including a timetable. This also included new elections within twelve months.
More than 180 people were killed in the blast in early August and more than 6,000 were injured. Much of the port is in ruins. The surrounding residential areas were also severely damaged. Macron traveled to Beirut shortly after the detonation.
Lebanon’s political system is made up of a decade-long proportional representation system that divides power between denominations. The president is always a Christian, the Sunni prime minister and the speaker of the parliament a Shiite. The Shiite Hezbollah, which has a strong influence, plays a special role. It is hardly possible to rule against the interests of the pro-Iranian organization.
The political system has repeatedly shown itself incapable of reform in recent years. Critics accuse the political elite of being only interested in maintaining their own power and wealth. Among other things, they blame a kind of pyramid scheme with loans for the economic and financial crisis.
