Macron to Return to Lebanon in December to ’Follow Up’ On Reform Bid

By Staff, Agencies

French President Emmanuel Macron will return to Lebanon in December for his third visit to the crisis-hit country since a devastating August explosion in Beirut, the French presidency announced on Tuesday.

Macron, who landed in the Lebanese capital on Monday for the second visit since the August 4 explosion at Beirut's port killed at least 190 people, wounded some 6,500 and laid to waste swathes of the capital.

On Tuesday, Macron said he was ready to organize an international aid conference for Lebanon in October which, if it happens, would be the second such effort to be led by Paris since the blast.

Speaking to French news outlet Brut, Macron said he would "follow up" on progress made by Lebanese leaders towards enacting reform "in October and then in December.

"I will personally commit myself to it," he added, vowing to block aid money donors have pledged to Lebanon if changes are not made.