UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged Lebanese leaders to put people first and implement reforms to rescue the country from its financial depression.
Guterres met President Michel Aoun at the start of a four-day visit for talks with politicians, civic leaders and humanitarian workers on how the world body can help the country overcome mounting problems.
“Seeing the suffering of the people of Lebanon, Lebanese political leaders don’t have the right to be divided and paralyze the country,” he said, speaking to the press as he stood next to Aoun at Baabda Palace.
“It is essential for leaders to put the people first, and implement the reforms needed to set Lebanon back on track, including efforts to promote accountability and transparency, and root out corruption,” he said in a video message ahead of the visit. He repeated the message after his arrival.
In a country fractured along sectarian lines, successive governments made up of nearly all Lebanon’s main parties have repeatedly failed to implement the reforms needed to fix the national finances.
Foreign donors have long pressured politicians to enact the changes, long promised but never delivered because of vested interests, before they release funds.
UN agencies have warned of a dramatic deterioration in living conditions, and Guterres said he was deeply concerned about hardships faced by ordinary Lebanese.
Guterres echoed a call by many Lebanese activists and politicians to hold accountable those responsible for a huge chemical blast at Beirut port last year that killed 200 people and caused billions of dollars of damage.
“I know the Lebanese people want answers, and I hear your demands for truth and justice,” the UN chief said.
Guterres is planning to visit the port to pay a tribute to those killed in the explosion and meet with families of the victims.
Guterres also stressed that next year’s elections will be key for laying the foundations for a better future. “The elections next year will be key,” he added.
Politicians have disagreed on the date and details of holding the elections, expected next spring. A decision by the country’s constitutional council is expected to settle the dispute.
