French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Lebanon’s leaders to form a government within two weeks and deliver long-delayed reforms, promising international aid in return that would help the country stave off an economic collapse. On Tuesday, Mr. Macron met with the country’s president, Michel Aoun, and other political leaders, many of whom are accused by protesters of corruption and mismanaging the country. The night before, he met the legendary Lebanese singer Fairouz, a symbol of unity in a fractured society, for a rare photo opportunity. In a press conference, Mr. Macron said that international aid would be withheld if Lebanon’s leaders failed to follow its own “road map” to comprehensive reform of the system. “I will not give a blank check,” Mr. Macron said.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 01, 2020 16:30 UTC