Emmanuel Macron co-chaired on Wednesday an international aid video conference for Lebanon, overwhelmed by economic and political crises.
The French head of state has promised 100 million euros in "new commitments, in direct support to the population" as well as 500,000 doses of vaccines against the coronavirus.
Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday opened an international videoconference for aid to Lebanon, once again severely condemning the "unjustifiable dysfunctions" of Lebanese leaders and promising 100 million euros in "new commitments, in direct support to the population".
"The Lebanese leaders seem to be betting on rotting" by blocking for months the formation of a government and the implementation of reforms, deplored the French president, who co-chairs this event organized a year to the day after the explosion from the Port of Beirut.
A shipment of 500,000 doses of anti-Covid vaccines
"I think it is a historical and moral fault," said Emmanuel Macron from Fort de Brégançon, the summer residence of French presidents in the South of France. "They should not doubt for a single second of our determination," he added, recalling the "restrictive measures" already taken against them and the "sanctions regime" established by the EU on Friday. "The crisis in Lebanon is not a stroke of fate, nor a fatality. It is the result of individual and collective bankruptcies and unjustifiable dysfunctions," insisted the French president. "The entire Lebanese political class has never ceased to aggravate it by putting its individual and partisan interests above all else before the interests of the Lebanese people."
France is kind to the Lebanese people in these tragic times.
It is also demanding.
With the international community, we have assumed our responsibilities.
It is the Lebanese leaders' turn to take theirs.
The interests of the Lebanese must come first.
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 4, 2021
"All the appointments have been missed, no commitment has been kept," regretted Emmanuel Macron.
"Lebanon definitely deserves better than living on international solidarity," he added.
"Today's conference is a humanitarian conference in support of the population, so it is unconditional but there will be no blank checks for the benefit of the Lebanese political system, because it has been since the beginning of the crisis, and even before failing ", he still insisted.
He announced 100 million euros in new aid from France within 12 months by sending 500,000 doses of anti-Covid vaccines in the coming weeks.
"We are available for all technical cooperation"
According to the Elysee Palace, the United Nations estimate at more than 350 million dollars (357 million exactly, editor's note) the new needs of Lebanon which will have to be met in the areas of food, education, health, water purification. Emmanuel Macron also called for the outcome of the investigation into the explosion of the port, the conclusions of which have not yet been made, a year after the disaster.
"The Lebanese leaders are accountable for the truth, the transparency, with regard to their population" he wished. "France and several other (countries) have cooperated to provide all the information at our disposal, we are available for all the technical cooperation" which would still be necessary in this investigation, the conclusions of which are "awaited by the entire Lebanese population", added the French president. This conference, which should mobilize the international community to help the country, brings together representatives of some forty States and international organizations.