Gutted houses, angry residents and suddenly "Long live France" and applause: President Emmanuel Macron appears as a savior Thursday in the devastated district of Gemmayzé in Beirut, promising the angry Lebanese to hold their people to account. responsible.
No Lebanese leader has yet done so. In shirt sleeves, face masked, the French head of state offered himself a real walkabout, despite the coronavirus pandemic which is worsening in Lebanon, going to neighborhoods blown away by the terrible explosions at the port from Beirut on Tuesday.
France, "the only hope"
" Long live France ! Help us ! You are the only hope! », Repeat the Lebanese to the French president in this predominantly Christian quarter, which was the vibrant heart of nightlife, bars and restaurants in Beirut.
"The people want the fall of the regime"
Emmanuel Macron is caught in the fray, gives himself time to speak to one or the other, waves to the crowd, in the street or massed on the balconies, which applauds as it passes.
Mask on the face, wearing construction gloves, a woman calls out to him in French, holding him firmly by both hands. The president then leans for an embrace that goes on forever, to the cheers and whistles of onlookers.
French President #Macron tells female Lebanese protest that he will tell Lebanese politicians this afternoon during meetings to reform the political system (as translated to me by french speaking bystander). # تفجير_بيروت pic.twitter.com/OeiTqjqt5e
- Haley Bobseine (@haleybobseine) August 6, 2020“Revolution! The people want the fall of the regime, "chanted a group gathered in front of a devastated pharmacy, where the French president entered, using the flagship slogan of the Arab Spring, before scolding President Michel Aoun.
Carelessness of the Lebanese leaders
Some give free rein to their rage directed against the authorities. " Where were you yesterday ? Why don't you help us? A woman from the neighborhood yells at the police.
On Twitter, the Lebanese playwright and actor Ziad Itani, who lives in the district of Gemmayzé, hailed a “historic” visit, criticizing the negligence of the Lebanese leaders. “I no longer have a home in Gemmayzé, and the first to visit the neighborhood is a foreign president. Shame on you ! “, He launched.
French aid "will not go into the hands of corruption"
In front of the crowd, Mr. Macron assures us that he is not there to “endorse (..) the regime”. “I understand your anger,” he said. "I am here and it is my duty to help you as a people, to bring you the medicines, the food", he adds.
To people who tell him not to trust the authorities, he replies: "I guarantee you that this aid will not go into the hands of corruption".
“Above all, do not give money to our corrupt government,” calls out a passerby in French. “We can't take it anymore, we're at the end of the line. It is a bruised people, Mr. President, ”she continues with a trembling voice. “Don't worry,” Mr. Macron calmly replies. "Free us from the authorities, rid us of corruption, you are our only hope," chanted the Lebanese.
A "new political pact"
And it is during this walkabout that the Head of State announces that he will "speak to all the political forces to ask them for a new political pact". The French president will ask those in charge "to carry out reforms (...) to change the system, to stop the division of Lebanon, to fight against corruption".
“I'll talk to them. I am obliged to sit down with them (..) I will tell them the truth, I will hold them accountable, ”he solemnly promises.
Very very interesting from Macron: I'll propose a new deal (to Lebanese authorities) and I'll be back September 1st. If they can't make it, I'll take my responsibility with you. pic.twitter.com/3PdVeOpeHt
- Maria Tadeo (@mariatad) August 6, 2020A diplomatic moment at La Chirac, in 1996
For nearly an hour, the Head of State experienced a strong diplomatic moment of his five-year term, like Jacques Chirac in Jerusalem in 1996 or François Hollande in 2013 in Timbuktu.
Emmanuel Macron rushes into an official car. Direction: the presidential palace, on the heights of Beirut for official talks.
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