Paris conditions international aid to Lebanon for the establishment of a reform government

The international community will condition any financial aid to Lebanon to the establishment of a reformist government, said Wednesday the 11th of December the head of the French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, at the end of an international meeting in Paris for help this country out of the political crisis.

"The only criterion must be the effectiveness of this government in the service of reforms expected by the population," said the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the end of this meeting.

"Only this way will allow all participants around this table and beyond to mobilize to provide Lebanon with all the support it needs," he added.

This meeting of the International Support Group in Lebanon (GIS), co-chaired by France - traditional support of Beirut - and the United Nations, was closed at the end of the afternoon by the French minister.

Unprecedented challenge

Since October 17, Lebanon is facing an unprecedented challenge against the entire political class, deemed incompetent and corrupt.

The movement, triggered by the announcement of a new tax, led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. But the negotiations for the formation of a new cabinet trail, much to the chagrin of the protesters who demand a team of technocrats and independent personalities.

The economic and financial situation in Lebanon, already very precarious before the start of the dispute, has deteriorated significantly since then, with increasing banking restrictions and a shortage of liquidity.

Back to the wall, Saad Hariri, who continues to manage current affairs, has requested emergency financial assistance to several "countries brothers and friends" (France, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Russia, China, Egypt and Turkey). But the international community makes the granting of financial aid conditional on the implementation of several reforms, from greater transparency of public transactions to the independence of the judiciary.

With AFP

Newsletter Do not miss out on international news

subscribe