Joint statement after Lebanese French talks: France to push international community to help Lebanon

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In the context of the historical friendship between Lebanon and France, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, made an urgent visit to Lebanon of August 6, 2020, during which he was briefed on the damages caused by the catastrophe that occurred due to the massive explosion that took place in Beirut port, on August 4, 2020.

The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received President Macron in a bilateral meeting, later joined by Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister, Hassan Diab.

President Aoun thanked President Macron for the humanitarian and medical assistance sent by France, and expressed his appreciation for the solidarity with Lebanon to address the effects of the devastating catastrophe that had befallen him and which coincided with the many crises facing Lebanon, from the crisis of the massive Syrian displacement, to the economic and financial crisis, and Corona pandemic.

President Aoun praised President Macron's personal efforts to support Lebanon in facing these crises at the bilateral level, as well as at the international level, recalling his initiative to support French-speaking schools and its primary role in organizing the Cedar Conference.

President Michel Aoun also stressed the firm determination reveal the causes of this tragedy-crime, and to impose appropriate penalties against the responsible, stressing that this is today's priority.

For his part, President Emmanuel Macron expressed his attachment to Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and the special status that this country enjoys with respect to France, in different political orientations. "The explosion shook France in the depth" President Macron said revealing that he was impressed by what he had witnessed from the horror of the destruction which occurred in Beirut.

The French President also assured that Lebanon will not be alone in facing difficulties, expressing France's readiness to always stand by Lebanon in difficult circumstances, indicating that France will take an active movement to push the international community to move effectively and quickly to stand by and help Lebanon, especially as Lebanon revives the First Centenary of "Greater Lebanon", this year.

The Lebanese side affirmed commitment to pursue the march of political, economic and financial reforms to advance Lebanon in cooperation with the international community, with France at the forefront.