The President of the Republic takes a walkabout during a visit to the Gemmayzeh district blown by the double explosion in the port of Beirut - AFP

Indulging in a walkabout in a devastated district of Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron assured Thursday that he would propose a “new pact” political to officials in Lebanon, where popular anger is rumbling against the authorities after the murderous drama of the port. The provisional toll is 137 dead and 5,000 injured.

“I am also here to launch a new political initiative. This is what I am going to express this afternoon to Lebanese leaders and political forces, ”Emmanuel Macron said to a crowd who chanted“ the people want the fall of the regime ”. The French president will ask those in charge "to carry out reforms (...) to change the system, to stop the division of Lebanon, to fight against corruption".

"I will take my responsibilities"

Arrested by a man who says he has "had enough" of the "rotten" Lebanese political class, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron has pledged to return to Lebanon for September 1. If the politicians "do not know how to hold" the "new political pact", "I will take my responsibilities with you", declared the President of the Republic, filmed by Lebanese television.

Very very interesting from Macron: I'll propose a new deal (to Lebanese authorities) and I'll be back September 1st. If they can't make it, I'll take my responsibility with you. pic.twitter.com/3PdVeOpeHt

- Maria Tadeo (@mariatad) August 6, 2020

When he arrived at Beirut international airport this Thursday morning, the French president, the first foreign head of state to visit Lebanon, announced that he wanted to "organize European cooperation and international cooperation more broadly". “The priority is aid, unconditional support for the population. But there is the demand that France has been carrying for months, years, essential reforms in certain sectors, ”added the French Head of State, citing in particular the electricity sector.

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