French president criticised as he neglects to mention Hezbollah’s weapons

BEIRUT – During his most recent visit, French President Emmanuel Macron triggered a wave of criticism in Beirut, where he repeatedly spoke about Hezbollah as representing part of the Lebanese people.

The criticism focused on Macron’s complete disregard of the issue of Hezbollah's weapons, which, from the point of view of most Lebanese, are illegal.

However, Lebanese politicians made it clear that Macron was troubled by the prospect of a civil war in Lebanon as Iran supports the Shia Lebanese group in its effort to keep its weapons. This, of course, comes as the US administration is escalating pressures on the Islamic Republic, further exacerbating tensions.

Lebanese political sources said that Macron focused in his meetings with Lebanese politicians on the need to form a new Lebanese government headed by Mustafa Adib, on the condition that such a government does not include any representatives from the Lebanese parties.

A Lebanese politician who attended a lunch hosted by Lebanese President Michel Aoun in honour of the French president revealed that Macron did not hesitate to stress two things: The need to form a new government as soon as possible, and the inevitability of urgent reforms, required if Lebanon was to obtain any aid from the international community.

Macron gave Lebanese politicians until the end of October to start delivering on reforms, saying financial aid would be withheld and sanctions imposed further down the line if corruption gets in the way.

The French president told a news conference in Beirut that political leaders had agreed to form a government of experts in the next two weeks to help chart a new course for the Middle East nation collapsing under the weight of an economic meltdown.

“There is no blank cheque given to Lebanon, this is a demand with an appointment in six to eight weeks,” Macron said in his second visit in less than a month to press for action to tackle a financial crisis rooted in corruption and mismanagement.

“If your political class fails, then we will not come to Lebanon’s aid,” he added.

Macron said targeted sanctions could be imposed in case of proven corruption and would be coordinated with the European Union, but that this was not on the agenda for October because “we are in a process of trust and mutual engagement.”

The statements by the French president cannot be viewed as isolated or unilateral. Rather, it is certain that the approach was coordinated with the United States, whose assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, is visiting Beirut Wednesday.

The Hezbollah-led March 8 coalition faces a difficult task in light of the ramshackle economy and the destruction of parts of Beirut after the August 4 port explosion and the escalation of sectarian tensions, which turned into violent confrontations a few days ago between Shias and Sunnis in the Khaldeh area, south of Beirut.

Macron, who toured the wrecked port, said he wanted “credible commitments” to a reform roadmap that includes a central bank audit, and a follow-up mechanism, including legislative polls in six to 12 months.

The French president said he had tried to convince the politicians that the electoral law should not be a preamble to reform because “it will stall everything.”

Pressure from Macron, who said he would visit again in December, has already pushed major parties to agree on a new prime minister, Mustapha Adib, who has called for the rapid formation of a government and promised to implement reforms swiftly to secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Forming a cabinet has taken months in the past.

Macron, who visited Beirut in the early aftermath of the August blast that killed more than 190 people, said world powers must stay focused on the emergency in Lebanon.

He said Paris was ready to help organise and host an international conference with the United Nations in October.

Although Macron has taken centre stage in demanding change, other foreign powers still exercise big influence over Lebanon, notably Iran through the heavily armed Shia group Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia has also traditionally exercised sway through Lebanon’s Sunni community.

Macron marked Lebanon’s centenary by planting a cedar tree in a forest outside Beirut.

The French air force flew overhead, leaving smoke trails of red, white and green, the national colours of Lebanon whose borders were proclaimed by France 100 years ago in an imperial carve-up with Britain. It gained independence in 1943.

Crushed by a mountain of debt, Lebanon’s currency has collapsed and depositors have been frozen out of their increasingly worthless savings in a paralysed banking system. Poverty and unemployment have soared.

“Today everything is blocked and Lebanon can no longer finance itself,” Macron earlier said, adding the central bank and banking system were in crisis and an audit was needed.

“We need to know the truth of the numbers, so that judicial actions can then be taken,” he said.