The head of French diplomacy goes to Lebanon with a "message of great firmness"
It is a firm speech that Jean-Yves Le Drian should give in Beirut on May 6, 2021, during his meetings with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and with President of Parliament Nabih Berri.
REUTERS - POOL
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The head of French diplomacy Jean-Yves Le Drian is traveling to Lebanon this Thursday, May 6.
France is continuing its efforts in support of the cedar country which is sinking into an economic, social and political crisis of unprecedented gravity.
But the French Minister of Foreign Affairs went to Beirut in a new context since France now sanctions several Lebanese political leaders.
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We do not know the identity or the number of Lebanese personalities targeted by the sanctions announced at the end of April, but these measures indicate a change of method in the face of the Lebanese crisis.
For months, France has called on Lebanese politicians to form a government and undertake reforms;
without result since Lebanon has been waiting for its new government for 9 months.
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A firm speech
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My trip also ensures the solidarity of France 🇫🇷 in terms of education, medicine, heritage, and with the Lebanese and Lebanese who are mobilizing for their country.
- Jean-Yves Le Drian (@JY_LeDrian) May 5, 2021
Paris now intends to exert pressure with restrictions on access to French territory to sanction Lebanese political leaders who “
deliberately obstruct
” the
formation of a government,
according to the French Foreign Ministry.
Paris is also working on sanctions at European level, but Hungary's refusal is slowing this process down.
It is a firm speech that Jean-Yves Le Drian should give this Thursday during his meetings with the Lebanese President Michel Aoun and with the President of the Parliament Nabih Berri.
The visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs also includes a humanitarian component, as the Lebanese population is sinking into poverty.
I think he comes to waste his time here, and that he should go and waste it elsewhere.
Trying to help this country is no use.
In the news, we hear every day that foreign officials come to visit us, to support us financially ... But the money disappears.
The whole world is trying to impose sanctions on the Lebanese rulers and that does not change anything.
People in power always get by ....
Report: disillusioned Lebanese
Noé Pignède
► To read also: In Lebanon, 9 months after the explosion of the port, the heritage of Beirut in danger
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Lebanon
France
Jean-Yves Le Drian