French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday time was running out to prevent Lebanon from collapsing and that he could see no sign that the country's rival politicians were doing what they could to save it.
"I would be tempted to qualify Lebanese politicians as guilty of not helping a country in danger," Le Drian told a news conference in Paris.
"They all committed to act to create an inclusive government and committed to implementing indispensable reforms. That was seven months ago and nothing is moving. I think it's not too late, but the delays are very small before collapse.”
Le Drian said such a collapse would spell disaster not only for the Lebanese people, but also for the hundreds of thousands of Syrian and Palestinian refugees it hosts, as well as the entire region.
France has spearheaded international efforts to rescue Lebanon from its political and economic crisis by trying to use its influence to persuade squabbling politicians to adopt a reform roadmap and form a new government of non-partisan specialists to unlock international aid.
Prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is at loggerheads with President Michel Aoun and has been unable to form the cabinet since October.
Groups of protesters have been burning tires daily to block roads since the Lebanese currency tumbled to a new lows, deepening popular anger over Lebanon's financial collapse.
"It's up to the Lebanese authorities to take their destiny in hand knowing that the international community is looking with concern," Le Drian said. "There is still time to act today, but tomorrow will be too late."
Speaking at his side, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan also urged Lebanon to form a new government as soon as possible.
