The French president was pleased to have and to always devote a lot of energy to Lebanon since the tragedy, while the country is at the heart of an unprecedented crisis.
Two years ago to the day, on August 4, 2020, a double explosion destroyed the port of Beirut and devastated entire neighborhoods, killing more than 200 people and injuring more than 6,500. Two days later, Emmanuel Macron went there. The head of state was at the head of a movement whose objective was to put Lebanon back on track.
As the country is now mired in the worst economic crisis in its history and people are suffering from shortages, power cuts and runaway inflation, Emmanuel Macron gave an interview to the daily The Orient-The Day.
“What would it be today without the mobilization led by France?”
Referring to the memories of 2020, Emmanuel Macron explains that his two successive visits to Beirut after the double explosion in the port are “moments that we do not forget in the life of a President of the Republic”.
“It is with great emotion that I remember the amazement that gripped me two years ago when I learned of this tragedy,” he said in this interview.
The Head of State is pleased to have and to always devote a lot of energy to Lebanon. “France has led to an exceptional and unprecedented international mobilization to avoid the brutal institutional, financial, economic, social and cultural collapse of the country”, continues the man who initiated several conferences in support of the Lebanese population.
“It’s not enough and we have to do more and better, but what would it be today without the mobilization of the international community led by France?” he asks in response to certain criticisms.
“Justice must be done”
In this interview granted two years after the tragedy, Emmanuel Macron is severe with regard to the Lebanese ruling class. He accuses him in particular of being responsible for the blockages which hinder the economic recovery of the country, but also the investigation into the explosion.
“It’s a fact, we have not succeeded in overcoming the force of inertia of the Lebanese system and its actors. I do not want to go back on their responsibility, it is known”, he castigates.
The French president effectively denounces the suspension of the national investigation because of yet another appeal by former Lebanese ministers. “I say it again today with force: justice must be done,” said Emmanuel Macron.
This Wednesday, independent experts from the United Nations and NGOs called for the opening of an international investigation “without delay”, stressing that it was “clearer today more than ever that the national investigation cannot do justice “.
“I will never resign myself”
While he recently received Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the Élysée Palace, Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to restore “close relations” between Beirut and the Gulf monarchies, without which Lebanon “will not know prosperity. nor growth”.
“I will never resign myself. I will not let Lebanon collapse, let alone disappear,” concludes the head of state.
Source: BFM TV
