The date was not chosen at random. A year after the cataclysmic explosion that devastated the port of Beirut and the neighboring districts, and while the memory of the victims was celebrated by the Lebanese, Wednesday August 4, France held a third international aid conference for the country of Cedar. Some 370 million dollars (312 million euros) have been pledged, including 100 million euros by France. Organized with the United Nations, this videoconference meeting brought together some forty countries and organizations. Paris like Washington once again called for “Reforms”, in a country in the throes of collapse.
These financial commitments will not stop the meteoric deterioration of the country, they cover a fairly short period – the next twelve months. But the promised aid must meet the urgent needs identified by the United Nations. This new envelope constitutes a little oxygen. An infusion. It concerns, among other things, health, education and food security – this term, the Lebanese had never thought that it would apply to their country, which prided itself on being described as “Switzerland”. from the Middle-East “. The dependence of families on food parcels has, however, become a shattering reality.
The way aid is distributed has not changed. From the first international conference, organized on August 9, 2020 at the initiative of Emmanuel Macron, when Lebanon was in a state of astonishment after the double explosion in the port of Beirut, the need for “Close monitoring” by the United Nations had been mentioned. This supervision is continuing. Direct support for associations is favored by Paris, so as, it is said, not to feed the patronage political system.
“Historical and moral fault”
In his speech, the French president had scathing words for the Lebanese leaders, who “Seem to make the choice of rotting”. He lamented a “Historical and moral fault” and castigated them “Unjustifiable dysfunctions” of the political class. These dysfunctions are not, however, circumstantial and have existed since the post-civil war, from 1990, when the same leaders were then treated in “Partners”.
Several commitments expected from Beirut were listed: the rapid formation of a government, reforms to release structural loans promised in 2018, the outcome of the investigation into the double explosion at the port – politically obstructed – and the holding of elections. legislative elections planned for 2022.
You have 61.06% of this article to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
