On Monday 7 December, the Foreign Affairs Council called on all Lebanese stakeholders and political forces to support the urgent formation of a “mission-driven, credible and accountable government in Lebanon, able to implement the necessary reforms”.
In its conclusions, the Council stresses that the serious financial, economic, social and political crisis affecting the country has continued to worsen in recent months, that the country has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and that part of Beirut was destroyed by the explosion on 4 August.
“Beyond a people-centred recovery, EU substantial assistance for the reconstruction of a democratic, transparent, inclusive and prosperous Lebanon will continue to depend on tangible progress on necessary reforms”, the Council warns.
It therefore calls for “urgent” implementation of “meaningful and profound” economic and governance reforms.
The goal is to restore economic stability, improve delivery of public services, reduce inequalities, make public finances sustainable, restore the credibility of the financial sector, guarantee the independence of the judiciary, ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law and fight corruption.
The reform process should be inclusive, adds the Council.
In addition, “effective” talks with the IMF must resume “as soon as possible”.
The conclusions can be found at: https://bit.ly/3mLYHUB (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)