Lebanon: Emmanuel Macron announces the formation of the new government within 15 days
Emmanuel Macron during his press conference at the Residence Pine, in Beirut, on September 1, 2020. REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes
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6 min
Emmanuel Macron closed a very dense 24-hour visit to Beirut on Tuesday.
A visit especially intended to maintain the pressure on the Lebanese leaders so that they put in place the reforms awaited by the international community.
The French head of state announced that all political parties have pledged that the formation of the new government will not take more than 15 days.
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"
All political parties without exception have pledged this evening, here, that the formation of this mission government would not take more than two weeks
", declared the French president during a press conference in Beirut in the outcome of interviews with key political leaders.
He added that the government would bring together “
competent
” personalities and would be formed “
as an independent collective which will have the support of all political parties
”.
The new Prime Minister,
Moustapha Adi
b, appointed a few hours before the arrival of Emmanuel Macron on Monday, is to begin parliamentary consultations on Wednesday for the training of his team.
The French president recalled that "
the average in recent years
" for the formation of governments in Lebanon was "
between 5 and 11 months
" because of political differences.
Emmanuel Macron assured that Moustapha Adib, a relatively unknown diplomat until then, had "
on the political level a massive support of the political forces, even if it is not unanimous
".
"
He can only obtain this legitimacy by quickly forming a mission government made up of professionals, a team as solid as possible
", he added.
The French president assured, in parallel, that an "
agreement of all was recorded this evening" on an economic "roadmap" concerning "electricity, capital control, the essential audit of the Central Bank and public procurement reform
(...) ”.
"
If the promises are not kept by October, there will be consequences,
" he warned.
Lebanon has been suffering for months an unprecedented economic crisis, marked in particular by a monetary collapse, banking restrictions and hyperinflation.
The country, half of whose population lives below the poverty line, has suffered for decades from numerous failures in public services, including power cuts.
On August 4, a gigantic explosion at the port devastated entire swathes of the capital, killing at least 188 people and fueling anger in the streets that blames the tragedy on the neglect and corruption of a ruling class.
(With
AFP
)
► Also to listen: Lebanon: “a system at the end of its rope”
♦ Reactions in Beirut
Social networks in Beirut abound with comments on the visit of Emmanuel Macron who managed to snatch the political class in one day, which the Lebanese could not achieve in 10 months of demonstrations, reports
our correspondent in Beirut,
Paul Khalifeh.
However, some remain skeptical about the chances of success of the French initiative.
Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, one of the country's main Sunni figures, questioned whether political forces will cooperate in forming the government, after facilitating the appointment of a prime minister.
Jamil Sayyed, an independent MP close to Hezbollah, is clearly pessimistic.
According to him, the community leaders will once again appoint ministers and share the portfolios.
Emmanuel Macron's conciliatory speech towards Hezbollah, which he considered to be a party with real popularity, caused discontent.
The resigning member of the Christian right Nadim Gemayel addressed President Macron on Twitter, asking him "
quite frankly
" if he considered the weapons of this party as legal and legitimate.
♦
Demonstration in Beirut
While Emmanuel Macron met the Lebanese leaders, a thousand demonstrators gathered in Beirut to once again express their rejection of the current political system.
The small crowd met on this anniversary of the creation of Greater Lebanon 100 years ago ... But also to say its rejection of the Lebanese political class, including the new Prime Minister Mustafa Adib ...
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Nicolas falez
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