Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Wednesday that French President Emmanuel Macron’s willingness to hold a second aid conference for Lebanon by mid-October reflects France’s keenness to support Lebanon in overcoming its crises, a statement by the Lebanese Presidency reported.
“President Macron acted as a true friend of the Lebanese, and the positions he launched cannot be considered as an interference in Lebanese internal affairs, but they rather reflect a real will to help a country linked to France by ancient ties that are rooted throughout history,” Aoun said.
Aoun noted that Lebanese authorities must also, in return, show real determination to help the country by quickly forming a capable and transparent cabinet to start with reform measures and rescue Lebanon by unlocking international support.
“All political parties should grab the opportunity today to benefit from the willingness of other countries to support Lebanon … by dropping political rivalry while putting narrow personal interests aside and uniting behind a unified program,” the president added.
Macron visited Lebanon on Monday night and he met with various political parties while agreeing with them on a roadmap aimed to achieve necessary reforms within 8 weeks.
Visiting for the second time in less than a month, Macron marked the country’s centenary by planting a cedar tree, the nation’s emblem, at a forest reserve north of Beirut. He was also due to tour Beirut’s devastated port, and hold talks with the leaders of Lebanon’s political factions.
Heading to Beirut, Macron called for the speedy establishment of a new government in Lebanon. He also warned the country’s politicians of risking sanctions if they fail to set the nation on a new course within three months.
