International efforts to end Lebanon’s political, economic and living crises

UN officials and international organizations have expressed their views, proposals, and views  ideas of how to solve the crises plaguing Lebanon at all levels, the continuation of which may lead to the collapse of Lebanon.

With the political and economic crises in Lebanon reaching the point of no return, several international organizations saw the need to intervene to save Lebanon and return it to the right track. United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, on a visit in southern Lebanon, Sidon, Bissariye, Sarafand and Amraa, stressed the importance of maintaining stability and social cohesion among the Lebanese and the refugees in the country, who both suffer from difficult living conditions and need enormous assistance.

Wronecka added that nine out of ten Syrian refugees suffer from extreme poverty, and thirty percent of them suffer from food insecurity.

On the other hand, the International Support Group for Lebanon, consisting of the UN, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UK, US, EU and the Arab League, called in a statement on Friday, for the need to hold free, fair and inclusive elections on time; “Echoing the Security Council press statement on Lebanon of 4 February 2022, and recalling its previous statements, the ISG reiterated its call for free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections, as scheduled on 15 May 2022.”

The ISG called for the commitment of all stakeholders, politicians and the government to ensuring the appropriate conditions for conducting it inside and outside Lebanon, emphasizing the need to include women in the political and electoral process.

For its part, the International Monetary Fund presented a road map for Lebanon’s exit from its financial crisis. It included obligating the government to implement budget reforms to ensure the continuity of debt payments. In addition to rebuilding the financial sector, reforming public companies and combating corruption, Lebanon will not receive international support without implementation of the IMF plan.

In this context, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the government’s intention to start repairing the port of Beirut and returning it to service, considering this project a national priority. This comes in light of the government and some politicians continuing to obstruct the investigation and the efforts of the judicial investigator, Judge Tarek Bitar, in revealing those responsible for the explosion.