French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated support Sunday for Lebanon’s government formation efforts ahead of his two-day trip to Beirut beginning Monday.
The French president made the comments during a phone conversation with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, in which the two discussed Macron’s upcoming visit and the latest political developments in Lebanon.
The conversation follows a speech from Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in which he declared himself “open” to considering Macron’s proposal for a new political pact in Lebanon.
Macron’s visit is the second in less than a month and the follow-up to his dramatic visit to Beirut in the days following the Aug. 4 explosion in which he publically declared his intention to seek a “new political pact” for Lebanon.
Following the explosion, Macron led efforts to seek emergency international aid to assist Lebanon by co-hosting an emergency conference with Aoun.
Since the resignation of the former government, France has stressed the need to form a new government quickly so that the necessary reforms can be carried out in line with popular demands for an end to corruption and mismanagement.
Macron’s eager intervention into Lebanese affairs in the wake of the explosion and a rapidly deteriorating situation reflects France’s colonial ties to Lebanon, a country that it helped to create.
During his visit Macron will meet with Lebanon’s political leaders and also with legendary singer Fairouz, whom the Elysee has praised as one of the rare Lebanese figures to be admired across sectarian lines.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
