Lebanon: Le Drian points out the need to form a government at the risk of sanctions

Jean-Yves Le Drian did not mince his words in front of the President of the Republic Michel Aoun, the head of Parliament Nabih Berry and the Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri.

He expressed France's disappointment that the country's leaders failed to live up to their pledge to quickly form a government to initiate reforms.

SAFIN HAMED / AFP

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met Lebanese officials on Thursday, May 6 in Beirut as the country is going through the worst crisis in its history.

A visit to send "a firm message" to the leaders of the country of the Cedar, accused of the political blockage which prevents the formation of a new government. 

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With our correspondent in Beirut

,

Paul Khalifeh 

Jean-Yves Le Drian did not mince his words in front of the President of the Republic Michel Aoun, the head of the Parliament Nabih Berri and the Prime Minister Saad Hariri,

appointed in October 2020

to form a government. He expressed France's disappointment that the country's leaders failed to live up to their pledge to quickly form a government to initiate reforms. Disappointment also vis-à-vis the entire political class, considered responsible for the collapse of Lebanon. 

The head of French diplomacy has also refrained from meeting the heads of traditional parties.

On the other hand, he received representatives of opposition parties and civil society movements, with whom he discussed the prospects for change and the next legislative elections scheduled in a year.

Jean-Yves Le Drian notably had an appointment with representatives of the National Bloc, a group that works to unite groups from the political protest that erupted in Lebanon in 2019.

To read also: 

The head of French diplomacy is in Lebanon with a "message of great firmness" 

The entourage of Jean-Yves Le Drian and Lebanese political circles assure that the French minister was firm in his remarks.

He insisted on the need to overcome differences to quickly form a new government.

He pointed to the responsibility of the leaders in the delay - the

mistrust between the president and his prime minister is deep

- and reaffirmed that France and its European partners were considering imposing sanctions against those who block the political process. 

It remains to be seen whether the reprimands and reproaches of the head of French diplomacy will make those who delay the formation of a government flex and reflect. 

To read also: France tries to increase its pressure against Lebanese personalities

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  • Lebanon

  • France

  • Jean-Yves Le Drian

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