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Source: Beirut – Johnny Fakhry
French President Emmanuel Macron begins an official visit to Lebanon on Monday night, the agenda of which is full of political and “symbolic” milestones that reflect the depth of the historical ties that have linked Paris to Beirut for more than a hundred years. .
The presidential visit, announced by Macron during his station in Beirut, following the port explosion on August 4, points to two basic issues. The first is to closely examine the steps he requested on his first visit in terms of rapidly forming a rescue government that implements reform steps in the light of which it is possible to open the aid depot for Lebanon, and the second participation in the commemoration of the centenary of Greater Lebanon announced by France during the mandate.
The French president surrounded the visit with statements made by him and positions expressed by Elysee officials who put their finger on the sore of the causes of the deep crisis, since rampant corruption within the institutions is one of the most prominent headlines, as well as the continuation of the quota mentality in governance without giving way to the change demanded by the enraged Lebanese. Those who took to the streets on October 17, demanding that the political class be held accountable and rejecting the return to power of any of its symbols.
A government without parties
The French seem to be leaning towards the idea of change by forming a government different from their predecessors, with a president and ministers whose mission is to bring Lebanon to a safe coast.
According to sources in the French capital who spoke with Al-Arabiya.net, Paris favors the formation of an independent government, “temporarily” away from the traditional parties that have existed in political life for years, and to make room for a government with a specific mission capable of undertaking reconstruction and implementing reforms required by Lebanon during Support Conferences, the most recent of which is the “CEDRE” conference.
He explained that “Paris, in line with the saying” Please help yourself “, hopes that the parties will help the new government by giving it confidence even if they do not emulate it, because their mission will be limited to implementing the required reforms because their presence and representation will remain in the Parliament, to avoid the game of quotas, terms and conditions The opposition that has exhausted the Lebanese for years and obstructed the work of institutions, especially governments.
“Same soon”
Furthermore, he noted, “Macron does not want to hear the same prestige in the ministerial quota process and” reserve “this ministry just for this team. Today is the time for quick and serious reforms.”
On Thursday, Paris reiterated its call on Lebanon to speed up the formation of a government and adopt “urgent” reforms. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that “the danger today is the disappearance of Lebanon and therefore these measures must be taken.”
While Macron’s attempt to push for the formation of a “government with a specific mission” independent of the traditional political parties seems complicated, given that these parties in power since the end of the internal war will not easily give up “paradise” of power, but the French president seeks to gain a foothold in The Lebanese Crisis Wall, benefiting from the distinguished and historic relations between Lebanon and France and international support for his mission.
Mission by international consensus
In the context, the sources said, “Macron arrives in Lebanon with a mission that enjoys international consensus, especially since France has” money “for all political forces without exception by virtue of the historical ties with which Lebanon joins , and that the sanctions policy has not been adopted against any political group that opposes them.
This visit, the second to Beirut in less than a month, coincides with the start of the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, on Monday morning, with mandatory consultations with the parliamentary blocs to assign a new figure to form a government three weeks later. of the resignation of the government of Hassan Diab, under pressure from the street, which held him responsible for the explosion due to negligence and corruption of the institutions.
The one most likely to form a government is the Lebanese ambassador to Germany, Mustafa Adeeb, whom he appointed former prime ministers and the “Movement of the Future”, in addition to the “Shiite duo” of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah, as well as the trend of the representatives of the National Movement to appoint him as well.
Change the focus of judgment
According to sources in the French capital, Paris “does not interfere with names, this is a Lebanese issue, and what concerns him is to” change “the approach to governance by introducing a government that does not resemble successive governments in power. since the end of the war. That is, a government independent of the existing political class.
He also pointed out that Paris did not oppose the appointment of President Hassan Diab and asked him to implement reforms, but when he did not comply, his position on him changed. The same is approved with the new prime minister. The names, in his opinion, detail the basis of the government’s work program and the degree of commitment of its president to it, especially on the issue of reforms. ”
“The French know the finer details of Lebanon’s dossier. They are interested in initiating reforms, especially in the electricity sector, which the Lebanese suffer and which cost the treasury billions of dollars. There is no blank check after today. When we see serious reforms, we open the loan hoard, and the opposite means that the same approach continues with a change of names. ” .
And the French president winked from Iran’s channel and his arm in Lebanon, Hezbollah, in remarks on Friday in which he said: “If we leave Lebanon in the region and if we somehow leave it in the hands of regional powers corrupt, civil war will break out and this will undermine Lebanese identity. “
Political program and symbolic stations
Macron’s agenda is full of political and symbolic meetings.
Perhaps what is remarkable about this program is that it begins with a symbolic station through the evening meeting with the Lebanese national symbol, the artist Fayrouz, at her home in Rabieh, near Antelias, north of Beirut, far from the media glasses.
Macron wrote in his program the phrase “A date with a cup of coffee with Fayrouz in Antelias on Monday night.”
It should be noted that Macron’s visit will continue until Tuesday, when he will meet with political officials, heads of parties and parliamentary blocs, in addition to the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, in addition to participating in the celebration of the Centennial of Greater Lebanon, which is taking place at the Al-Sanawbar Palace in Beirut.
He will also visit neighborhoods affected and affected as a result of the port explosion and plant a cedar with Lebanese children in the Jaj forest in northeast Beirut.
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