Emmanuel Macron has called for "profound change" from Lebanon's leadership following a huge blast in Beirut that killed 145 people.
The French president, the first world leader to visit the devastated city since the explosion, called for an international investigation into the horrifying incident.
Mr Macron described the blast as a "metaphor for Lebanon's current crisis,” adding that a "new political order" was needed.
He promised aid to Lebanon but reassured angry citizens reeling from a blast that no blank cheques will be given to its leaders unless they enact reforms and end rife corruption.
Speaking at a news conference at the end of a dramatic visit to Beirut, Mr Macron said the blast was an urgent signal to carry out anti-corruption reforms demanded by a furious population.
Dozens are still missing after the explosion at the port that injured 5,000 people and left up to 250,000 without a home.
It was a hammer blow for a nation already staggering from economic meltdown and a surge in coronavirus cases.
Mr Macron said he proposed to the Lebanese authorities a roadmap of urgent reforms to unlock billions of dollars in funds from the international community.
He said that he would return to Lebanon in September to follow up.
"If reforms are not carried out, Lebanon will continue to sink," Mr Macron said.
"What is also needed here is political change. This explosion should be the start of a new era."
He said France will organise an international aid conference for Lebanon, and promised "transparent governance" so the aid goes to the people, NGOs and relief groups.
During his visit Mr Macron met all Lebanese political factions, including the powerful Iranian-backed Hezbollah group which dominates Lebanese politics.
He urged Hezbollah to use its influence to press the government to carry out reforms and think of Lebanon's interest rather that Iran's.
