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A Lebanese woman demonstrates against the government's mismanagement between burning barricades north of Beirut
Photo: Hussein Malla / AP
Lebanon is on the brink of an abyss - the country has no functioning government, the economy has collapsed, there is a lack of money for fuel, foreign currency reserves are exhausted, and electrical energy is only available to a limited extent.
In mid-May it will "gradually get dark," warns a member of parliament in Beirut, with a view to the lack of electricity payments.
France is now making a fresh attempt to find solutions.
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian started talks with Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday, the state agency NNA reported.
Le Drian should therefore also meet with President Nabih Berri.
There was no official program for the visit.
Country in the political impasse
The aim of the talks is to find ways out of the political crisis of the heavily indebted country, it said from government circles in Lebanon.
Le Drian will be "very determined towards politicians who are accused of hindering the formation of a new government," said a government representative.
A devastating explosion struck the port of Beirut last August.
More than 190 people died.
The country has had no functioning government since the days after the disaster.
Ex-Prime Minister Hassan Diab is still in office.
The designated new head of government Saad Hariri has not been able to form a cabinet since October.
Lebanon is experiencing its worst economic crisis since the end of the civil war in 1990. Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a rescue program are in progress due to the threat of national bankruptcy.
The IMF is linking this to comprehensive economic reforms and a stronger fight against corruption in the country.
The talks have made slow progress so far.
As a former mandate power, France has close ties to Lebanon and has been pushing for a new government to be formed for months.
France and other countries have promised financial aid should a new government resolutely tackle the necessary reforms.
mrc / dpa
