Aug.8 (EIRNS) — President Donald Trump announced on his Twitter account that the leaders of the United States, France, Lebanon and other countries will hold an online meeting to discuss the situation in Beirut. “We will be having a conference call on Sunday with President Macron, leaders of Lebanon, and leaders from various other parts of the world. Everyone wants to help!” Trump said. He also said the United States has already sent three planes with humanitarian aid and specialists to Lebanon.
Trump’s statement follows one by European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, who said the conference would take place on Sunday, August 9, in the form of a video linkup. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an international conference under the UN aegis to raise funds for Lebanon earlier, but no date has been set yet.
Pointing to the necessity for an international mobilization of economic aid, Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the international community to help Lebanon with both a quick response and sustained engagement, because Lebanon is facing the “triple tragedy of the socio-economic crisis, COVID-19, and the ammonium nitrate explosion.'’ Colville urged Lebanese leaders to “overcome political stalemates and address the grievances of the population.''
