French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday he would push for a new approach in the coming weeks on Lebanon as the country's rival politicians had made no progress over the last seven months to resolve the economic and political crisis.
"The time of the test of responsibility is coming to an end,” Macron said. “There will be a need in the coming weeks, in a very clear manner, a change in approach.”
“We can't leave the Lebanese people since last August in the situation in which they are," Macron added.
He gave no other details.
Paris has spearheaded international efforts to rescue Lebanon from its crisis, but has failed so far to persuade squabbling politicians to adopt a reform roadmap and form a new government to unlock international aid.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government resigned following the devastating Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion.
Protests have grown since the currency hit new lows, deepening public anger over Lebanon's financial collapse.
A French diplomat said on Wednesday that international partners would seek to increase pressure on Lebanon's politicians in the coming months, although sanctions against individuals in the immediate term were not being envisaged.
