1st Anniversary of Beirut Explosion Disaster... US and France Promise Additional Support to Lebanon

Macron Pledges 100 Million Euros, Biden 100 Million Dollars Aid
Urges Lebanese Politics to "End Anarchy Quickly"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] At a conference held to mark the first anniversary of the Beirut disaster in Lebanon, the United States and France pledged additional support to Lebanon while demanding that the Lebanese political sphere promptly end the state of anarchy. This is interpreted as a concern that Lebanon could become another flashpoint in Middle Eastern issues amid the unstable situations in neighboring Middle Eastern countries such as Palestine, Iraq, and Syria.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 4th (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a conference to raise donations on the first anniversary of the Beirut disaster in Lebanon. Attending the conference were U.S. President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Lebanese President Michel Aoun.

President Macron stated, "At least $350 million (about 400 billion KRW) is needed for the Lebanese people," and promised, "France will donate 100 million euros (about 135.6 billion KRW) to be used for education and food aid." He added, "Within the coming weeks, 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines will also be delivered to Lebanon." President Biden, who also attended the conference, emphasized, "We pledge an additional $100 million in support to Lebanon."

However, both leaders criticized the Lebanese political sphere for failing to properly manage the situation for a year and demanded that the state of anarchy be ended promptly as a condition for support. President Macron expressed regret, saying, "It appears that Lebanese leaders have chosen to worsen the situation," calling it "a historic failure and a moral failure." He continued, "France is always ready to help Lebanon, but we cannot hand over a 'blank check' blindly. Lebanese political leaders must take action."

President Biden also pointed out, "No matter how much external support is provided, it will not be sufficient unless Lebanese leaders commit to doing the difficult but necessary work of economic reform and fighting corruption."

Meanwhile, on August 4 last year, a massive accident occurred when ammonium nitrate stored at the port in Beirut, Lebanon, exploded, turning the city into ruins. Following this, the COVID-19 pandemic overlapped, but Lebanon is still experiencing a political vacuum. After then-Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned taking responsibility for the explosion disaster, a third prime minister nominee has emerged, but the cabinet has yet to be formed.