France warns Lebanon risks collapse after explosion, crisis

Leban is in such a deep political and ecomic crisis country risks collapsing altoger, France’s foreign minister said Thursday, ahe of French president's visit to country next week.

Leban’s government resigned amid accusations of entrenched corruption and negligence after Aug. 4 explosion that killed nearly 200 people, wounded nearly 6,000 and devastated entire districts of Beirut.

Western nations have been demanding major reforms in tiny country in return for help and some countries have been sending aid directly to people rar than state institutions torious for corruption.

“This country is on brink,” Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on RTL rio, citing growing poverty, unemployment and inflation. “ risk today is disappearance of Leban” if it doesn’t urgently form a government and institute reforms.

Next week, President Emmanuel Macron is making a three-day trip to Leban, a former French protectorate. He will offer French support after devastating port explosion earlier this month, but also ensure that millions in international aid go to those who need it.

“We will t sign a blank check for a government that does t implement reforms,” tably of public services and banking system, Le Drian said.

Canian Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is in Beirut, also said reforms are bly needed in country ding that Cana is rey to take part in investigation of port blast.

So far 19 people, most of m port and customs officials, have been arrested, and are being questioned by prosecutors.

Champagne told reporters that he discussed with outgoing defense minister an “understanding on conditions that Royal Canian Mounted Police will participate in investigation.” Two Canian citizens were killed in explosion.

He ded that Cana is more than happy to work under conditions that “our assistance will give faith to Lebanese people that this is an investigation that will go to bottom of things.” He said details are yet to be defined.

“This blast is trdy of all trdies. It embodies all trdies that we have seen in deces in Leban,” Champagne said. “Impunity needs to cease, reforms need to take place and I would say leers need to listen."