Le Drian Visits Crisis-Hit Lebanon, Meets Senior Officials

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Beirut and first held talks on Thursday with President Michel Aoun in Baabda to double down on a message that no international aid for Lebanon until the government carries out much-needed reforms.

Baabda sources told LBCI TV station that “Le Drian carried a message from President Emmanuel Macron affirming support for Lebanon and for bilateral relations between the two countries, and encouraging negotiations with the IMF.”

Le Drian left without making a statement to reporters.

The French top diplomat later met with PM Hassan Diab and Speaker Nabih Berri.

"France is a historic friend of Lebanon supporting it during difficult times. I am confident that France won't abandon Lebanon today. The government enforced reforms despite obstacles but has set a time frame to carry on with the rest of reforms," LBCI quoted Diab as telling Le Drian.

A person close to the discussions between the top French diplomat and Lebanese Diab said the French are supportive of the Lebanese government's efforts and that both sides recognize the importance of successful talks with the IMF that would also unleash money pledged in the 2018 conference.

"Both France and the (United States) are with us on that," the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed meeting.

Le Drian's patience was clearly wearing thin as he dished out more criticism during an afternoon visit to Amel, a charity in the southern Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik that helps some of Lebanon's most vulnerable.

"I was reading in Lebanese newspapers that Lebanon was waiting for Le Drian. No, it's France that's waiting for Lebanon," he said.

"What is striking to us is how passive the authorities of this country are," Le Drian said during a conversation with the head of Amel about soaring poverty levels.

Le Drian's uncompromising tone echoed an appeal he made in the French senate earlier this month and which was widely reported in Lebanon: "Help us help you, dammit."

"I said dammit the other day in the Senate so I wouldn't have to use a swear word. It was an affectionate word but it came with a dose of anger," he said.

Dozens of businesses are closing down permanently every day, thousands of people are losing their jobs or suffering massive pay cuts and the suicides of citizens submerged by debt have shocked the nation.

Le Drian said that the rest of Lebanon's international partners were on the same page, as was the protest movement that emerged last year to demand reform and an end to corruption.