Jumbalt Dreads 'Corruption' Would Impede CEDRE Reforms

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Saturday, hailed the outcome and reforms of an international donor conference in France on Lebanon, but at the same time said he was concerned that “corruption would impede application of reforms.”

In his common sarcastic remarks, Jumblat said in a tweet: “Recommendations of the dates, excuse me the Cedar (CEDRE) conference in Paris came out very well, but what matters is reforms. Can the political administration of the Lebanese state carry out the desired reform, or has the monster of corruption infiltrated everywhere to swallow the promises and foundations of the conference?”

He added referring to Lebanon's long-term electricity crisis saying: “The experience in electricity sector so far is not promising.”

International donors pledged $11 billion in loans and grants on Friday to help debt-ridden Lebanon at a conference in Paris that also sought to ensure the money is well spent in a country hit hard by the Syrian war next door.

In total, donors committed $10.2 billion in loans and $860 million in gifts, France's ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher said on Twitter.