French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Lebanon on Monday was meant to offer support to a nation reeling from a devastating explosion in Beirut and a deepening economic crisis. But it was overshadowed by a violent police crackdown on protesters who took to the streets to voice their anger at the government’s handling of both crises.
The demonstrations, which began on Saturday, were sparked by the government’s decision to impose a two-week lockdown in response to a surge in coronavirus cases. Protesters, many of whom have lost their jobs or businesses due to the economic crisis, argue that the lockdown will only worsen their already dire situation.
The protests quickly turned violent, with protesters throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Dozens of people were injured, including several journalists.
Macron, who met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other government officials during his visit, condemned the violence and called for calm. He also pledged to provide additional financial aid to Lebanon, which is facing an estimated $30 billion in losses from the explosion.
However, Macron’s visit was met with mixed reactions from the Lebanese public. Some welcomed his support, while others criticized him for not being more critical of the government.
“He came here, saw the situation, and didn’t say anything that would upset the ruling class,” said Karim Bitar, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut. “He is trying to balance between supporting the government and supporting the people, and it’s a very difficult balancing act.”
Macron’s visit comes at a time when France is increasingly involved in Lebanon. France has a long history of involvement in Lebanon, and it is one of the country’s largest donors. Macron has made Lebanon a priority of his foreign policy, and he has visited the country several times since taking office in 2017.
However, France’s role in Lebanon is increasingly being questioned. Some critics argue that France is too close to the Lebanese government, and that it has not done enough to support the Lebanese people. Others argue that France is not doing enough to address the root causes of Lebanon’s problems, such as corruption and sectarianism.
Macron’s visit to Lebanon is a sign of France’s continued commitment to the country. However, it is also a reminder of the challenges that France faces in trying to balance its support for the government with its support for the people.
Here are some additional details about the protests and Macron’s visit:
* The protests were the largest in Lebanon since the October 2019 uprising, which forced the government to resign.
* The protests were largely peaceful, but there were some violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
* Macron met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other government officials during his visit.
* Macron pledged to provide additional financial aid to Lebanon.
* Macron’s visit was met with mixed reactions from the Lebanese public..
