Hariri: France Is «Ready To Help Lebanon by Any Means»

By Staff, Agencies

France is “ready to help Lebanon by any means,” Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Friday, after talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Reform is to improve performance and to continue to fight the existing corruption. We have hope for CEDRE,” Hariri said in a press conference after his meeting with Macron.

Hariri also stressed that, “We have to carry out the reforms we talked about in the government, and this gives us hope that economic matters will improve.”

Macron said that France remains committed to helping Lebanon in its plans for economic reform.

Lebanon, one of the world's most indebted states, is aiming to drive through long-postponed reforms to boost its troubled economy and state finances. Speaking at a joint press event with Macron, Hariri said he had had "excellent talks" with French businesses about investing in Lebanon.

Macron affirmed France’s role in preserving the security and stability of Lebanon, saying, “We are committed to the security and stability of Lebanon and the implementation of CEDRE decisions, and stress the importance of achieving the desired reforms.”

Macron added, “France will continue its work to find sustainable solutions to the issue of refugees in Lebanon.”

Hariri met with French Finance and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire in Paris earlier Friday, to discuss bilateral relations and the economic situation in Lebanon.

The meeting took place at the French Finance Ministry at 8:30 a.m. Paris time. Hariri and Le Maire discussed French support and investments to revive the Lebanese economy.

Hariri also met with owners of major French companies, along with Le Maire, the French ambassador to Lebanon, the French interministerial delegate in charge of Mediterranean Affairs, Pierre Duquesne, and the Lebanese ambassador to France.

Hariri arrived in Paris Thursday to discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron investment projects and $11 billion in grants and soft loans pledged by international donors at the CEDRE conference last year.