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A French roadmap for the next government in Lebanon calls for the immediate resumption of talks with the International Monetary Fund to fix the ailing economy and take swift action to fight corruption and implement other reforms that have been delayed for years.
Reuters saw the draft of the program on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, a day after Lebanon’s leaders sent a strong message from French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Beirut: Implement reforms by the end of October or face sanctions.
Macron, whose pressure led Lebanon’s conflicting leaders to agree to a new prime minister, led international efforts to set the country on a new path after decades of corrupt rule that plunged it into the deepest crisis since Lebanon ‘s civil war. 1975-1990.
Lebanese banks are paralyzed with the collapse of the pound and the escalation of sectarian tension. On top of all this, a massive explosion in the Beirut port last month destroyed large areas of the city, killing more than 190 people and inflicting $ 4.6 billion in damage.
Reuters obtained the draft, which includes detailed demands in line with Macron’s call for “credible commitments”, from two Lebanese officials. It was also published by Lebanese media.
The French Presidency and the Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The draft says the new Lebanese government should set a deadline for talks with the International Monetary Fund within 15 days after taking office.
Within a month, the government should implement a law to restrict the movement of capital approved by the International Monetary Fund, begin to audit the accounts of the Bank of Lebanon and implement reforms in the electricity sector that still cannot supply electricity to the nearly six million of the country’s inhabitants throughout the day.
The government should also, within a month, cancel current plans for a controversial project to build a power station in Salata, north of Beirut, and establish a national commission to fight corruption.
Mustafa Adib, the former Lebanese ambassador to Germany, was appointed prime minister hours before Macron’s arrival. Adeeb has to get approval from his government before taking office, something that usually takes several months. Macron said the politicians agreed to fulfill this mission within two weeks.
“The challenges are intense and cannot be delayed,” Adeeb said after a meeting with politicians on Wednesday.
“Pile of loot”
Lebanon’s talks with the International Monetary Fund began in May, but stalled in July when the government clashed with political parties and banks over the size of losses in the banking sector.
Muhannad al-Hajj Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center said the reforms would challenge the political elite because they would make it difficult to fund their networks of influence.
He added: “The politics of the old system that sees public services as a collection of spoils is being transferred to a new economy in which the old practices cannot continue.”
But a high-level political source said the parties had made some concessions, in part due to French pressure. “It is an ambitious plan, but under (Macron’s) management of the issue in Lebanon, it can be successful,” he added.
Macron has led international diplomacy in Lebanon, but other powers continue to wield great influence, such as Iran, through its heavily armed ally Hezbollah.
Saudi Arabia, Iran’s opponent in the region, exerts influence over the Sunnis in Lebanon, and the United States is a major donor and places Hezbollah on the list of terrorist organizations.
Mahmoud Qumati, a Hezbollah official, told the group’s Al-Manar TV that he had noted the regional and international cooperation regarding Lebanon. “Therefore, there is an opportunity for this government to solve at least some crises,” he added.
The Lebanese Forces, a Christian party vehemently opposed to Hezbollah, said experienced ministers in the new government should act independently without having to consult their political leaders, in contrast to the previous government, which is currently interim.
Walid Jumblatt, a prominent Druze politician in Lebanon, told LBC television that the government will likely follow the road map.
“If this government is unsuccessful, we are going to an even bigger disaster,” said Gebran Bassil, head of Lebanon’s largest Christian party, the Free Patriotic Movement that is allied with Hezbollah.
