“I will not leave you” … Macron reassures Lebanese protesters after meeting with Fairuz

French President Emmanuel Macron began his visit to Beirut yesterday (Monday) by meeting the icon of the Lebanese singer, the singer Fairouz, one of the most famous singers in the Arab world, whose voice is considered a soundtrack of Lebanon since its heyday, passing for their conflicts, and even the most recent trauma, according to Reuters.
Anger at the Lebanese political elite over the economic collapse and massive explosion of the port of Beirut this month was present when Macron arrived at the home of Fairuz, 85, who is considered a national treasure and a symbol of peace that transcends the divisions between factions and sects in Lebanon and beyond.
The protesters appeared on live television outside Fayrouz’s home, carrying banners opposing the formation of a government with “assassins” and warning Macron “to place himself on the wrong side of history.”
Macron responded to the protesters’ demands with a slight bow. Some shouted “Adib, no” in reference to the new Lebanese Prime Minister, Mustafa Adib, who was nominated by Lebanese leaders under French pressure.
At the end of the visit, Macron paused to speak with the protesters. He could be heard saying on a television broadcast: “I pledged to that (Fayrouz) just as I pledge to you here tonight to do everything I can for reforms to be implemented and Lebanon to improve.” I promise you that I will not leave you.
Macron is visiting Beirut for the second time in less than a month to urge politicians to form a government made up of experts capable of eliminating corruption, waste and neglect and rebuilding after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut this month that killed 190 people.
Local Lebanese channels broadcast the songs that Fayrouz assigned to Beirut, while showing images of the explosion and the resulting damage.
Fairouz rarely speaks to the media, despite the fact that his songs are broadcast over radio waves from Rabat to Baghdad.
In one of his most famous songs, Fayrouz says, “I loved you in the summer !! I love you so much !! ” It is a song that was performed before Lebanon entered the spine of a civil war that lasted between 1975 and 1990. During a period when Lebanon was still famous under the nickname “the Switzerland of the Middle East”, when it attracted Hollywood celebrities to its great restaurants and beaches.
The Lebanese listen to their songs of different religions and sects, be they Christian, Muslim or Druze, even if they shed the blood of others in the streets.
Macron told reporters after his arrival that as Lebanon celebrates its 100th anniversary, there is an opportunity to “search, learn lessons and look to the future.”
Macron asked upon his arrival in Beirut in the evening that he form a government with a “specific mission” as soon as possible, hours after Mustafa Adeeb was appointed as his boss, according to Agence France-Presse.
The assignment of Lebanese President Michel Aoun to Adib, Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, to form a new government, the result of a consensus among the most prominent political forces that preceded the arrival of Macron, who has visited Beirut for the second time since the terrible explosion of the port.
Macron told reporters upon leaving the airport, where he was received by his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, that one of the objectives of his return is “to ensure that a government with a specific mission is formed as soon as possible, to implement the reforms.” required by the international community in exchange for providing support to Lebanon to help restart the economic wheel.
And on Twitter, Macron wrote upon arrival: “As promised, I will return to Beirut to review developments related to emergency aid and to work together to create the necessary conditions for reconstruction and stability.”
From the airport, Macron moved into Fairuz’s house. After that, Macron moved to the Pine Palace, the headquarters of the French embassy in Beirut, where he met former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The agenda of the French president today (Tuesday) is full of political and symbolic meetings on the occasion of the commemoration of the first centenary of the declaration of the State of Greater Lebanon during the period of the French mandate. The visit ends with a meeting with nine representatives of the most prominent political forces.