Trump Announces Online Meeting among Leaders of U.S., France, Lebanon and Others

Aug. 8, 2020 (EIRNS)—President Donald Trump announced on his Twitter account yesterday that the leaders of the United States, France, Lebanon and other countries will hold an online meeting to discuss the situation in Beirut. “We will be having a conference call on Sunday with President Macron, leaders of Lebanon, and leaders from various other parts of the world. Everyone wants to help!” Trump wrote, after mentioning that he had spoken separately with French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese President Michel Aoun. He also said the United States has already sent three planes with humanitarian aid and specialists to Lebanon.

European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, who said a videoconference would take place on Sunday, Aug. 9, and announced that European Council President Charles Michel was heading for Lebanon, Aug. 8. French President Emmanuel Macron had called for an international conference under the UN aegis to raise funds for Lebanon earlier, but no date has been set yet.

Pointing to the necessity for an international mobilization of economic aid, Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the international community to help Lebanon with both a quick response and sustained engagement, because Lebanon is facing the “triple tragedy of the socio-economic crisis, COVID-19, and the ammonium nitrate explosion.” Colville urged Lebanese leaders to “overcome political stalemates and address the grievances of the population.”