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French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut yesterday, on his second visit since the tragic explosion on August 4, to resolve a deep political crisis, but also to commemorate the first centenary of the declaration of Greater Lebanon.
The French president, on the occasion of the anniversary, planted a cedar, the emblem of this Middle Eastern country that he adorns and the national symbol of the country, which is collapsing under the weight of a serious economic crisis.
EPA
Macron began his visit to Lebanon last night with a meeting, not with the newly appointed Prime Minister Mustafa Antib and the country’s political leadership, but with Fairouz, 85, one of the most famous singers in the Arab world, whose music transcends. the division in the country.
Despite her low profile and few public appearances, the iconic singer who remains a living legend in the Middle East, still unites Arabs with her songs even today.
Rabieh August 31, 2020
© Soazig de la Moissonniere / Presidency of the Republic pic.twitter.com/4TgGmKmrNY– Fayrouz (@FayrouzOfficial) September 1, 2020
In fact, the French president awarded the Lebanese artist the Medal of the Legion of Honor, the highest official honor in France.
The Fairuz-Macron meeting lasted an hour and a quarter, during which the famous singer presented her visitor with a painting with a cedar and her name engraved on it.
Leaving his home, Macron told reporters that he promised that “Lebanon will probably get better”, describing Fairouz as “an idol who has a special place in the hearts of the French and that meeting her was special.”
With its economy in deep crisis, with part of the capital Beirut devastated by the Aug. 4 bombing of the port city and escalating religious tensions, Lebanon faces the greatest threat to its post-civil stability. war in the period 1975-1990.
Lebanon was under French rule from 1920 until its independence in 1943.
Following his appointment yesterday, Antibes called for the speedy formation of a new government, the immediate implementation of reforms and the conclusion of an agreement with the IMF.
The economic crisis in Lebanon has its roots in decades of state corruption and waste of public money that have left the country with one of the largest public debts in the world.
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