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Macron, who is visiting Beirut for the second time in less than a month, says his efforts are the “last chance” to save the crumbling political and economic system in Lebanon, which preceded his arrival by assigning Mustafa Adib to form a new government.
Macron’s long work program on Tuesday is full of important political meetings, including the head of state, representatives of the main political forces and others of a symbolic nature, with the revival of Lebanon on the first centenary of its founding, which It started with the planting of a cedar in the Gaj Reserve, north of Beirut.
Macron anticipated his discussions with political leaders saying: “My position is always the same, demanding without interference,” after he repeated the call of officials to form “a government with a specific mission as soon as possible.”
In response to a question about Adeeb’s assignment, both academic and diplomatic, Macron said: “I do not have to agree or bless his choice.”
Adeeb, the Lebanese ambassador in Berlin, was an unknown Lebanese figure before being elected on the basis of a consensus among the main political forces, most notably the Future Movement led by Saad Hariri, Hezbollah and President Michel Aoun.
Macron, who knows that his bet in Lebanon is “fraught with risks”, seeks to fulfill his mission and obtain quick results to maintain his credibility with the international community, insisting on “basic reforms” to curb rampant corruption in various sectors, including highlighting electricity, ports and financial accounts.
The international community demands that Lebanon implement these reforms in order to provide financial support.
In a remarkably timely move, interim Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni signed contracts with three foreign companies on Tuesday for the “criminal and financial audit” of financial accounts, which Macron has repeatedly demanded.
It is assumed, according to Lebanese officials, that the audit will be withdrawn later in other official institutions, in compliance with the request of the International Monetary Fund.
On Monday, Macron renewed the warning, saying: “If we don’t do this, the Lebanese economy will collapse … and the Lebanese people will be the only victims.”
Macron’s meeting on Tuesday night with representatives of nine prominent political forces, including Hezbollah, the most prominent military and political force backed by Iran, is of great significance.
Macron defends his strategy, with his desire to “speak to all parties,” including Hezbollah, “the political force represented in parliament,” in parallel with his assertion that he “does not approve” part of the party’s political “project” that Washington considers a “terrorist” organization and accuses it. Blockade of reforms.
Speaking to the American Politico website on the plane that took him to Beirut, Macron said in response to confronting Hezbollah: “Do not ask France to launch a war against a Lebanese political force,” considering that “it would be absurd and crazy.” .
Macron held a similar meeting with political forces on his first visit to Beirut on August 6, two days after the port explosion, followed by a call on officials to draft a “new political letter” and “real change.” “.
Macron considers his efforts in Lebanon “the last chance for this regime.” “I put the only thing I have on the table and that is my political capital,” he said, according to Politico.
The agreement on Adeeb on Monday came as a result of a political agreement that preceded Macron’s arrival in Beirut.
But your assignment doesn’t mean that forming a government is easy, with a task that often takes weeks or even months.
It is not known whether placing Lebanon under the French microscope and the repercussions of the accelerating economic collapse that was exacerbated by the explosion will accelerate the efforts of the authorship.
Macron began his activities this Tuesday from the Jaj Cedar Reserve, where he planted, on the occasion of the centenary of the declaration of the state of Greater Lebanon, a cedar accompanied by 12 students from the Carmel School coral, coinciding with the flight of a French air squadron that spread the colors of the Lebanese flag in the air.
Macron’s visit to the reserve, according to a statement from the Elysee, “is an indication of confidence in the future of Lebanon, which he hopes the president of the republic will witness.”
From Gaj, Macron traveled by helicopter to the port of Beirut to inspect the unloading of more than 2,500 tons of urgent aid sent by his country and organizations aboard two ships.
Macron will meet his Lebanese counterpart at noon for lunch.
Macron began his visit on Monday by visiting the artist, Fairouz, who is considered a symbol of Lebanese unity at his home near Beirut, where dozens of Lebanese were waiting for him and chanting various slogans, to which Macron responded by saying: ” I promise you that I will never abandon you. “
“I promise … to do everything possible to ensure the implementation of the reforms and the recovery of Lebanon,” he added.
