France calls for international pressure on Lebanon to form a government

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian again warned that any aid to Beirut was contingent on deep reforms

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian leaves the Elysee Presidential Palace after a weekly cabinet meeting. AFP

The international community must apply strong unified pressure on Lebanon to form a government, the French foreign minister said as he warned Beirut that international aid would only be forthcoming with serious reforms.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a videoconference meeting on Lebanon on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that because “political forces have still not succeeded in agreeing to form a government … Strong and convergent pressures are therefore needed from us to push Lebanese officials to respect their commitments.”

He added that this “convergent effort must continue as long as necessary.”

France is growing increasingly frustrated at the slow pace of reform and political negotiation to form a government to tackle the economic collapse, the refugee crisis and the destruction wrought by the August 4 explosion that killed at least 190 and wounded thousands more.

"What is at stake is the future of Lebanon," Le Drian said. "Without reforms, there will be no international financial aid."

Lebanon has been stuck at an impasse trying to form a new cabinet that is in line with French President Emmanuel Macron’s roadmap for the country with Shiite duo Hezbollah and the Amal movement insisting they retain control of the finance ministry.

The meeting at the UN gathered members of the international support group for Lebanon including UN chief Antonio Guterres, World Bank head David Malpass and world powers including France, Germany, Britain, Italy, the United States, Russia, China, the EU and Arab League.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the appointment of Mustapha Adib as prime minister-designate was “a step in the right direction” but also urged Lebanese politicians to move faster on forming a new cabinet and embracing reforms.

“This should be followed by the swift formation of a government able to meet the legitimate aspirations and needs expressed by the Lebanese people and to quickly deliver on key reforms and fundamental changes,” he said.

“This latest tragedy must be a wake-up call,” added Mr Guterres.

"Lebanon faces a perfect storm: a protracted financial and socio-economic crisis with an unprecedented rise in unemployment and poverty, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic." - Additional reporting by agencies