Lebanon: international donors meet by videoconference for "framed aid"

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This Sunday, August 9 at midday, the videoconference will bring together international donors to come to the aid of Lebanon, five days after the explosion at the port of Beirut which left more than 150 dead, thousands injured, and resulted in 300,000 people away from home. Not yet fully assessed, the needs will be immense. How to ensure that the promised money will go well to the affected population without feeding the circuits of corruption, as the demonstrators fear? For France, which is organizing this conference with the UN, international organizations will play a leading role.

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There will be no blank check to the Lebanese government. The message from Paris is clear. Scared for three years, since the international community tried to put the country on the path of reforms to improve governance and

"A capture of the Bastille, Beirut version": listen to the fed up of the Lebanese, at the microphone of our special envoys Pierre Olivier and Julien Boileau

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end corruption. This message is becoming more acute as the bruised and exhausted Lebanese take to the streets.

To respond directly and as quickly as possible to their needs, donors will rely on institutions which have instruments ensuring clarity and transparency of funds: the European Union, the World Bank and the UN agencies, which are very present in the field. Lebanon.

Ten million dollars to be mobilized, according to the UN

Time is running out to clear the streets, secure buildings, and respond to the medical emergency. Which could mobilize 10 million dollars, according to the UN. Then the time for reconstruction will come. The Élysée is counting on the American presence and those of its other partners such as Russia to advance the Lebanese government towards better governance and a program to end the economic crisis.

The Banque de France offers its expertise to audit the public accounts, in particular those of the Central Bank. A step prior to the entry into play of the International Monetary Fund, so far discouraged by the lack of effort of the Lebanese authorities.

► See also: Lebanon: the Prime Minister will propose early legislative elections

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• Lebanon
• France
• Emmanuel Macron
• United States
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