The EU is ready to help. The European Progressive Forces stand together with the Lebanese people and provide the necessary financial support for restarting the economy. Are Lebanese leaders and politicians ready? This is a question raised by a group of EU lawmakers from the Social Democratic Party of the European Parliament*.
Lebanese political factions should set aside their short-term interests and quickly form a new government. The formation of a stable and well-functioning government in Beirut is not only essential for starting to receive European and international aid, but also for the eventual implementation of much-needed reforms—especially tackling corruption issues—that have been delayed for too long.
No further extensions or excuses can be accepted. The Lebanese people and the future of Lebanon come first. Lebanese democracy must be realized first, and an open and free general election must be held as planned next year.
This is the message that socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament will convey during their four-day political visit to Beirut from September 4th to 7th with national authorities, NGOs and civil society.
The catastrophic port explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020, which killed 217 people, injured 7,000 and displaced 300,000 people, will only accelerate a deep and widespread crisis that has been destroying Lebanon’s political and economic life for years.
We have seen dramatic pictures from all over the country. Thousands of people are forced to live in harsh conditions, fuel and energy supply shortages have terrible consequences for the national medical system. The tragedy that occurred in Acre on August 15 This resulted in more than 20 casualties from a petrol truck. Last but not least, the value of the Lebanese pound fell sharply.
Those who are already living in unstable environments, such as Syrian and Palestine refugees, may see their situation deteriorate to an unbearable degree.
In this kind of social, economic and political crisis, no one can be left behind, especially the most vulnerable people in society. Therefore, support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is crucial and must be guaranteed at the European, international and local levels. We, S&D, will do our best to support it.
These are just the most obvious results of this crisis.
However, without justice, there can be no stability or development.
The only way to pay tribute to all the victims and start writing a new chapter in Lebanese history is to conduct an urgent and impartial investigation of the causes and responsibilities behind the Beirut explosion.
We need to be very clear about this: there must be political and judicial accountability.
The European Union, international partners, and we socialists and Democrats are ready and willing to help Lebanon by providing the necessary financial, humanitarian and political support.
However, we need your help. Your help comes to help you. Without concrete progress in forming a new government, implementing necessary reforms, and ensuring that victims receive truth and justice, Lebanon’s new future will not come.
*This column is signed by MEP Pedro Marques, Vice President of Foreign Affairs of S&D Group, MEP Isabel Santos, Chairman of S&D DMAS (Relationship delegation with Mashreq countries), MEP Tonino Picula, S&D AFET Coordinator, MEP Nora Mebarek, member of S&D DMAS, MEP Evin Incir, Permanent Rapporteur of AFET on Palestine, Vice Chairman of the Delegation for Relations between Europe and Palestine.
