Macron program on his second visit to Beirut

Photo from file

French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting Lebanon for the centennial rebirth of Greater Lebanon and to follow up on the latest political developments. Upon his arrival on Monday evening, the French president will visit the artist Fairouz in Antelias, who has all the thanks. He will also hold political talks with some parties and with Presidents Aoun, Berri and Hariri at the Pine Palace. As reported by the Al-Nahar Al-Youm newspaper in an article by Samir Tueni.
An-Nahar added that on September 1, Macron will plant a ten-year-old cedar in the Jaj forest, and several students will participate in this celebration to mark the centenary of Greater Lebanon, which is a sign of the president’s interest in education. in Lebanon. A squadron of French aircraft will also participate in this celebration.
Macron will visit the port of Beirut to follow up on the distribution of the aid that arrived on board the “Tonnier” and the “humanitarian aid ship to Lebanon”, and will meet with non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies and the French team in charge of distributing these aids.
He will then move to the Baabda Palace, where he will meet with President Michel Aoun to discuss the latest political developments to form a “mission government” that Macron relies on to carry out the necessary reforms. They participate in lunch, according to the newspaper.
And then he will move to Rafic Hariri Hospital to support all his employees facing the Corona epidemic.
Before the press conference to be held at the end of the visit, Macron will have a meeting with the Maronite Patriarch, Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, and it will be an occasion to strengthen the historical ties between the Maronite Church and France. The meeting will be followed by a meeting with representatives of the political parties (9 personalities) to discuss the formation of the new government.
Yesterday, French presidential sources confirmed that “the investigation into the explosion in the port of Beirut between French and Lebanese investigators continues, and so far the investigations have not ended, especially regarding the presence of ammonium nitrate in the flag. “according to Al-Nahar.
The president participates in his visit to Lebanon, a small delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and presidential sources point out that “there is no plan for a thousand epidemics, but there are many options on the table for the formation of a” government of tasks “or” specific goals “that will eventually lead to parliamentary elections.” These sources consider that “there are four urgent matters that the new government must address when defining its action plan: first, to rebuild the port of Beirut, second to face the Covid epidemic, third to undertake economic and financial reforms, and fourth to prepare for parliamentary elections. because Paris considers that it is necessary to open a political horizon “. Again, through parliamentary elections that renewed the political team ”.
The sources indicated that “there is international support available for this government and for the options it will determine, because Lebanon is going through many crises and will open new political horizons. During his first visit, President Macron announced that he would not leave the Lebanese, and this It means that there is a French commitment of more pressure to implement this plan. ” The French president does not form a government, but will continue to press to implement the reform program set by the political class. The means for the success of this plan must be found in meetings in Beirut or Paris with the parties with good intentions, because nothing is confirmed yet. “It is premature to talk about a conference to be held in Paris, because Paris is going step by step,” he said.
“The government must include all political parties, including Hezbollah, and establish a necessary reform program that takes into account the political reality in Lebanon. The president has established his contacts with the parties and relies on them to vote on the necessary reforms. “the sources said.
He noted that “contacts with the Lebanese parties are numerous and are taking place in many forms. President Michel Aoun has not opened consultations to appoint a prime minister, and Prime Minister Saad Hariri is not nominated, and he has not announced who he is. its candidate and on what basis a governmental majority will be formed. ” “We know how the debate in Beirut is developing, but a consensus must be reached to save the country,” he said.
He added: “The French move cannot be described as interference in Lebanese politics. The Lebanese have asked France to intervene and the Lebanese authorities have demanded our support, but we have our conditions and our demands and we are working to form a mission government. “.
She explained: “There is no connection between sectarianism in Lebanon and corruption. The problem is the representation of the parties, and the best way is to implement the Taif Agreement and work on a clear government program for Lebanon to win. Macron seeks to establish a clear contract between the Lebanese and the international community, and he does not want to change the national contract, but rather to establish a contract. ” Government confidence. She explained to her counterpart Michel Aoun that recording victories over others does not help, in the end everyone will lose. The aim is to carry out the well-known reforms stipulated by the “CEDRE” conference, which include how to use public money for everyone and carry out reforms in many sectors, such as electricity and telecommunications. Customs and energy “.
Therefore, according to sources from the daily Al-Nahar, “Paris is putting pressure on the parties, and Macron’s return to Lebanon in these circumstances is in itself a pressure because politicians do not want to compromise, so you heard words about the cancellation. The pressure on them is to get a clear commitment. “
He stressed: “The formation of a government requires parliamentary consultations to determine the prime minister, since the personality is specific, but we do not know who he is. Prime Minister Hariri refused, but the important thing is the program that will determine the basis of the statement. of the government, so all parameters must be determined before the visit, but the results cannot be predicted and its success cannot be linked to a vote. ” Trust in Parliament in the coming days. Lebanon is in a deep crisis, and President Macron’s commitment in this context, as there is not much commitment to help Lebanon, is a positive commitment in a sinking country. You need a government assignment to carry out structural reforms.
Presidential sources indicated that “President Macron will address the issue of the tension between Lebanon and Israel, hence the importance of renewing UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. What is required today is the lack of action by” Hezbollah ” leading to an escalation as in 2006. He noted that “the recent armed events in southern Beirut do not constitute a war, but rather a tension between Israel and” Hezbollah “, and are taking place in the context of serious crises and accumulated tensions that they could explode. ”