Emmanuel Macron in Lebanon calls for speedy government formation

The French president says a new line-up should be agreed upon 'as soon as possible'

French President Emmanuel Macron, centre, speaks with an anti-government protester after his visit to the Lebanon's diva Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most popular singers, in Rabieh, north Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday, August 31, 2020. APShow less

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the swift formation of a crisis government in Lebanon following the announcement of a prime minister-designate.

Speaking upon his arrival at Beirut airport on Monday, Mr Macron said a new line-up should be agreed upon "as soon as possible" to rescue the country, which is reeling from the August 4 port explosion and the effects of an economic collapse.

It is Mr Macron's second visit to Beirut undertaken to impress upon the need for an overhaul of Lebanon's complex sectarian political system, since the huge blast that killed 190, injured thousands and laid waste to large parts of the capital.

He landed at the airport only hours after the under-fire Lebanese leaders on Monday designated Mustapha Adib, a career diplomat, as the new prime minister responsible for tackling the country's deep political and economic crisis.

A journalist takes a selfie with French President Emmanuel Macron after a news conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon. Bloomberg

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon. Bloomberg

French President Emmanuel Macron visits the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron, flanked by French Health Minister Olivier Veran visit the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron meets members of the military mobilised for the reconstruction of the port of Beirut, in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron meets members of the military mobilised for the reconstruction of the port of Beirut, in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and French President Emmanuel Macron meet members of the military mobilised for the reconstruction of the port, in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron flanked by French Health Minister Olivier Veran and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian listen to Arnaud Tranchant, commander of the Tonnerre helicopter carrier, off the port of Beirut. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian meet with UN representatives and NGOs mobilised for the reconstruction of Beirut port. AFP

Alpha jets of the Patrouille de France release smoke in the colours of the Lebanese flag while flying over the Mohammad al-Amin mosque in the centre of Lebanon's capital Beirut, as the former French mandate marked its centenary while teetering on the brink of the abyss. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron plants a cedar next to members of the NGO Jouzour Loubnan in Jaj, Lebanon. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron hugs a blast victim, Tamara Tayah, while attending a ceremony to mark Lebanon's centenary in Jaj Cedars Reserve Forest, northeast of the capital Beirut. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to victims of the blast as he arrives to a ceremony to plant a cedar next to members of the NGO Jouzour Loubnan in Jaj, near Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron meets former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

Lebanese President Michel Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron during a welcome ceremony at Beirut airport. AFP

Protesters walk outside the home of Fairouz, one of Arab world's most famed singers, as French president Emmanuel Macron visits her, in Rabieh, Lebanon. Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron, gives respect sign to anti government protesters as he leaves the house of Lebanon's diva Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most popular singers, in Rabieh, north Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron, center, speaks with an anti government protester after his visit to the Lebanon's diva Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most popular singers, in Rabieh, north Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron talks to journalists as he leaves the home of Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most famed singers, after visiting her in Rabieh, Lebanon. Reuters

Lebanese President Michel Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron, both wearing face masks, during a welcome ceremony at Beirut international airport. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Beirut international airport, Lebanon. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to reporters after his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at Beirut international airport. AP

Immediately after his nomination, Mr Adib, 48, gave a televised speech acknowledging the "need to form a government in record time and to begin implementing reforms immediately".

He promised to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund for assistance as Lebanon faces its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war and has been left further traumatised by the August 4 explosion.

Mr Macron's first meeting wasn't with the new prime minister-designate appointed hours earlier, nor with the country's feuding politicians or civil society activists. He instead chose to see Lebanon's No 1 diva Fairouz, a national symbol and one of the rare figures in Lebanon beloved and respected across the country.

Many Lebanese expressed envy on social media that Mr Macron will get to see Fairouz. Her songs accompanied the Lebanese during 15 years of civil war that ended in 1990 and continue to provide solace in difficult times. Her song, "Li Beirut," or "For Beirut," has repeatedly provided the soundtrack for a grieving nation, most recently following the explosion.

Mr Macron was the first foreign leader to visit Lebanon – he came two days after the explosion – walking through the devastated streets of Beirut when no Lebanese official did. He promised to return on September 1, to take part in events marking Lebanon's centennial.

Upon leaving Lebanon several weeks ago, Mr Macron tweeted in Arabic: "I love you Lebanon," the words of a famous Fairouz song.

Mr Macron's visit to Fairouz on Monday night was received with mixed feelings, with some Lebanese activists praising it as a snub and a message for Lebanon's leaders, while others described it as a meaningless gesture.

The French president is also planning to plant a cedar tree marking 100 years of Lebanese nationhood.