Emmanuel Macron in Lebanon calls for speedy government formation

The French president says a new line-up should be agreed upon 'as soon as possible'

French President Emmanuel Macron, centre, speaks with an anti-government protester after his visit to the Lebanon's diva Fairouz, one of the Arab world's most popular singers, in Rabieh, north Beirut,Show more

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the swift formation of a crisis government in Lebanon following the announcement of a prime minister-designate.

Speaking upon his arrival at Beirut airport on Monday, Mr Macron said a new line-up should be agreed upon "as soon as possible" to rescue the country, which is reeling from the August 4 port explosion and the effects of an economic collapse.

It is Mr Macron's second visit to Beirut undertaken to impress upon the need for an overhaul of Lebanon's complex sectarian political system, since the huge blast that killed 190, injured thousands and laid waste to large parts of the capital.

He landed at the airport only hours after the under-fire Lebanese leaders on Monday designated Mustapha Adib, a career diplomat, as the new prime minister responsible for tackling the country's deep political and economic crisis.

Immediately after his nomination, Mr Adib, 48, gave a televised speech acknowledging the "need to form a government in record time and to begin implementing reforms immediately".

He promised to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund for assistance as Lebanon faces its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war and has been left further traumatised by the August 4 explosion.

Mr Macron's first meeting wasn't with the new prime minister-designate appointed hours earlier, nor with the country's feuding politicians or civil society activists. He instead chose to see Lebanon's No 1 diva Fairouz, a national symbol and one of the rare figures in Lebanon beloved and respected across the country.

Many Lebanese expressed envy on social media that Mr Macron will get to see Fairouz. Her songs accompanied the Lebanese during 15 years of civil war that ended in 1990 and continue to provide solace in difficult times. Her song, "Li Beirut," or "For Beirut," has repeatedly provided the soundtrack for a grieving nation, most recently following the explosion.

Mr Macron was the first foreign leader to visit Lebanon – he came two days after the explosion – walking through the devastated streets of Beirut when no Lebanese official did. He promised to return on September 1, to take part in events marking Lebanon's centennial.

Upon leaving Lebanon several weeks ago, Mr Macron tweeted in Arabic: "I love you Lebanon," the words of a famous Fairouz song.

Mr Macron's visit to Fairouz on Monday night was received with mixed feelings, with some Lebanese activists praising it as a snub and a message for Lebanon's leaders, while others described it as a meaningless gesture.

The French president is also planning to plant a cedar tree marking 100 years of Lebanese nationhood.