France warns Lebanon’s leaders against ‘collective suicide’

French FM slams Lebanese politicians for failing to pull the country out of its economic meltdown or form a government.

France’s top diplomat has threatened Lebanon with more sanctions to prevent what he described as a “collective suicide” organised by members of the country’s ruling political class.

Lebanon’s leaders had promised reform in the aftermath of a deadly explosion at Beirut port last year but, nine months on, they have yet to form a government.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, whose country has spearheaded international efforts to assist Lebanon’s moribund economy, said on Friday that there was no sign of a breakthrough.

“It is indeed urgent to find a way out of the political deadlock,” he told reporters just before wrapping up a two-day visit to Beirut.

“To this day, my observation is that the political players have not lived up to their responsibilities and have still not seriously started working on the country’s recovery.”

Le Drian held talks on Thursday with President Michel Aoun, parliament speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.

“If they do not act now in a responsible surge of effort, they will face the consequences of this failure,” he said.

Le Drian, who had last year already compared Lebanon to “the Titanic minus the orchestra”, accused those responsible for the deadlock of leading the country to its death.

“I am here precisely to prevent this kind of collective suicide organised by some,” he said.

France announced late last month it had started imposing entry restrictions on certain figures for their role in Lebanon’s political crisis and corruption.

Le Drian refused to provide names but warned that the sanctions could be made tougher and extended to other politicians.

“It is up to the Lebanese officials to decide whether they want to break out of the deadlock they have organised,” he said.

Le Drian’s official meetings on Thursday were not followed by joint press conferences. His appointment with Hariri was short and kept under wraps until the last minute.

Election

The French minister also held a meeting with representatives of opposition parties which was welcomed by their leaders as a sign that the international community was increasingly open to political alternatives.

Unprecedented cross-sectarian and nationwide protests erupted in Lebanon in October 2019 to demand the wholesale removal of the hereditary political barons who have ruled the country for decades.

The small political groups that carried some of the protest movement’s demands have strived to close ranks in recent months and are launching a push ahead of a parliamentary election due in the spring of 2022.

Reform-minded groups fear that the political establishment will try to postpone the polls, which they hope will see the opposition secure an unprecedented share of seats in parliament.

“Respecting the democratic timetable in Lebanon is a must and any postponement attempt would not be accepted by the international community,” Le Drian said.