Ya Libnan

Macron pledges aid won’t go to ‘corrupt hands’ as he tours stricken Beirut, update

Share:

French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on Thursday, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. Follow events on our liveblog.

Macron is the first foreign head of state to make the trip after two explosions rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing scores, injuring thousands and inflicting billions of euros in damage.

The French leader, who is due to give a press conference at 5:30pm Paris time (GMT+2), has pledged the support of Lebanon‘s former colonial power and urged reform, telling crowds that he is not planning to write a blank cheque to the country’s discredited regime.

UK, Italy step up support

French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on Thursday, pledging support and urging change

Britain is sending a Royal Navy ship to Beirut to help the city recover. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the survey vessel HMS Enterprise, currently in Cyprus, will assess damage and help Lebanese authorities prepare to rebuild the port.T

he UK has pledged a 5 million pound (€5.5 million) humanitarian support package for Lebanon and says it will send search and rescue teams and expert medical support.

Earlier, Italy said it was sending 8.5 tons of medical equipment to Lebanon in a second aid flight. Italy’s foreign ministry said the flight left from Brindisi on Thursday morning following a request from Lebanese authorities. On board were surgical and trauma kits. Earlier, a team of firefighters and experts in chemical and biological agents flew in to help.

Macron calls for independent probe

The French president has called for an independent, transparent investigation into Tuesday’s massive explosion, saying it is “owed to the victims and their families” by Lebanese authorities.

After meeting with political leaders in Beirut, Macron mentioned the “anger in the street” he had witnessed earlier.“

There is a political, moral, economic and financial crisis that has lasted several months, several years. This implies strong political responsibility,” Macron said, adding that he discussed addressing corruption and other urgent reforms with Lebanon’s president and prime minister. “

I came here to show the support of the French nation for the Lebanese people,” Macron said, stressing the word “people”.

FRANCE24

Share:

Comments

3 responses to “Macron pledges aid won’t go to ‘corrupt hands’ as he tours stricken Beirut, update”

  1. master09 Avatar
    master09

    Not one Lebanese leader came out to speak to people in person, because they might get dirty hanging around common people.
    People should throw shit at them.

    1. Arzna Avatar
      Arzna

      These are not leaders . They are a mafia organization that the stupid people of Lebanon elected and this mafia is protected by the arms of a militia ( Hezbollah) that was allowed by Syria to keep its arms during its occupation of Lebanon. No matter what you throw on these politicians they will eat it even shit , so don’t waste that on them , use it as a fertilizer instead , you get more out of it than the so called leaders of Lebanon

      1. master09 Avatar
        master09

        Yes 100% I feel for our people, that nothing will ever change.

Leave a Reply