The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, arrived in Lebanon on Thursday. Less than two days after the explosions that ravaged part of downtown Beirut, for a provisional death toll of at least 137 dead and more than 5,000 injured, the Head of State recalled the "fraternal solidarity" between two countries. He was greeted by his counterpart Michel Haoun on the tarmac at the airport, then the two men spoke for a few minutes before going to the scene of the tragedy.
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"We will help organize in the coming days additional support at the French level, at the European level," said Emmanuel Macron, while France has already sent three planes loaded with medical equipment and emergency rescue teams. Visiting the port, in the middle of the rubble, the Head of State spoke with several rescuers and members of the Red Cross.
"A dialogue of truth" with political leaders
Emmanuel Macron should then meet the Lebanese Prime Minister, Hassane Diab then the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Nabih Berri, before meeting with all the political and civil forces of the country. Because if France wants to organize aid, it especially wants it to be used well, in a country weakened by a serious economic crisis and plagued by corruption.
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"Today, the priority is aid, unconditional support for the population. But there is the demand that France has been carrying for months, years, for essential reforms in certain sectors", declared the French head of state, citing in particular the electricity sector. "If these reforms are not made, Lebanon will continue to sink," he warned.
The President of the Republic indicated that he wished to have "a dialogue of truth" with the Lebanese officials, "because beyond the explosion, we know that the crisis here is serious, it implies a historical responsibility of the leaders in square".