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Beirut – Reuters
Lebanon faces many challenges in light of various economic, political and health setbacks with the spread of the Corona virus. The matter did not stop at this point, but instead the Western powers, seeking to save Lebanon’s economy that is on the brink of collapse, addressed the country’s leaders with a warning: There are no steps to lift the country off its stumbling block to unless they form a credible government to quickly reform the situation in the bankrupt state.
France, the United States and other donor countries are running out of patience, having previously provided aid to Lebanon more than once since the civil war that broke out between 1975 and 1990. Last year, large protests broke out against the ruling elite as people held them responsible for looking after their vested interests at a time when public debt was increasing. The coronavirus pandemic increased pressure on the country’s resources and during August a massive explosion in the port of Beirut destroyed large areas of the city.
With the depletion of dollars, a shortage of basic goods, including medicines, has emerged and an increasing number of people are falling into poverty in Lebanon.
French President Emmanuel Macron, a natural ally given that Lebanon is a former French colony, quickly visited the city after the explosion and tried to persuade politicians to implement at least partial reforms to address the emergency situation. However, rival factions are still fighting for influence, and Lebanon has not formed a government since the government that the Beirut explosion and its aftermath caused its collapse. As in previous crises, each side accused the other of being responsible for this situation.
Two sources who participated in the talks in Beirut last week said Patrick Daryl, Macron’s adviser for Middle East and North Africa affairs, made clear in the talks that, while Paris kept its promises, “we will not save them unless let there be reforms “.
A Western diplomat said France was still trying to organize a conference to discuss reconstruction in Beirut in late November, but doubts remain. “There is no news,” added the diplomat. Lebanese politicians have returned to their method of work, and the worrying thing is the total disregard for the people.
In a conference call from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Friday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea said the United States “realizes that Lebanon is important” and that “avoiding state failure … should be the top priority. “
But he added: “We really can’t want it more than they want it.” And he stressed that there are no rescue plans without reforms.
And he continued: “We gain sophistication.” He added that there would be a “step-by-step incremental approach, and nothing is free.”
Saad Hariri, the designated prime minister, is fighting to form the government. Some sources say that the efforts were complicated by the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on Gebran Bassil, son-in-law of President Michel Aoun, who heads the “Free Patriotic Movement.”
The sanctions were imposed on Bassil based on allegations of corruption and his ties to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group. Bassil denies the corruption charges.
Official sources say the main stumbling block is Aoun and Bassil’s insistence on appointing ministers in the 18-member government. Hariri wants all ministers to be specialists and not tied to political parties.
A source close to the talks said that some of the stakeholders mentioned that Bassil is the main obstacle to the formation of a government, and Bassil denies this accusation, saying: It is his party’s right to appoint ministers since others were able to appoint ministers.
Various sources said that the current stagnation is a suicidal situation for the country which is rapidly depleting its foreign reserves. These reserves are estimated at just $ 17.9 billion.
Ambassador Chia said donors must maintain their position, otherwise the political elite will not take them seriously.
He added: “If they don’t feel the importance of time to form a government, how can we continue to pressure them?” They look at us and their condition says: Try to get us to implement a reform, it will be interesting to see you try.
