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Emmanuel Macron: "Government with a Mission"
Photo: GONZALO FUENTES / POOL / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
Around four weeks after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to the Lebanese capital again and called for reforms.
President Michel Aoun received him at the airport on Monday evening.
After Macron's arrival, the program included a meeting with the popular Lebanese singer Fairouz, an icon of Arabic music.
As soon as he arrived, Macron called for "indispensable reforms" for the country.
If these were carried out as soon as possible, Lebanon and the Lebanese people would have the support of the international community, and especially France, said Macron.
The new government must be a "government with a mission".
This must act against corruption in the country, said the French head of state.
On Tuesday, Macron will take part in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Greater Lebanon.
He also wants to get an idea of the situation again in the port and meet with leading politicians.
Lebanon in the economic crisis
Macron had already visited Lebanon shortly after the explosion on August 4th.
At that time, he promised the country aid, but at the same time demanded political reforms in clear words.
He also announced that he would be back in September.
As a former colonial power, France still has close ties to Lebanon.
More than 180 people were killed and more than 6,000 injured in the detonation in the port.
Lebanon is currently experiencing one of the worst economic crises in its history, which is being exacerbated by the corona pandemic and the explosion.
The previous ambassador of Lebanon to Germany, Mustafa Adib, received the order from President Michel Aoun on Monday to form a new government.
The previous cabinet resigned a few days after the explosion.
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ptz / dpa