French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian inaugurated Cedre conference, hosted by France for Development and Reform with Businesses, with the participation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, heading an official and ministerial delegation.
Le Drian stressed that Lebanon is receiving many strikes from the tensions witnessed by the region, mainly the Syrian crisis, terrorism along the border and more than one million refugees, noting that the country has been bearing a burden that surpasses its capacity.
“On one hand, Lebanon needs significant investment to bring its basic infrastructure up to par, which at the moment does not allow it to provide all its citizens with essential public services, in good conditions. On the other hand, Lebanon needs extensive reforms on its economy, structural reforms and sectorial reforms. And Lebanon's stability, from an economic point of view, rests on a combined action: reforms, to be acted upon by Lebanon; and combined international action, support. Reforms and support,” he stated.