France says Lebanon may disappear unless it embarks on urgent reforms

France has advised Lebanon to form a new government and implement a series of urgent reforms.

France said that Lebanon was currently on the verge of distress and disappearance due to the consequences of both the Beirut blast and a political crisis.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said this on Thursday in Moscow.

The twin blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Aug. 4 was followed by mass demonstrations against the government, which the protesters blamed for negligence over the explosion and overall corruption.

He also demanded that major reforms be made in the country’s political system.

As a result, on Aug. 10, the then Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his cabinet resigned.

“The risk today is the disappearance of Lebanon,” Le Drian said.

He added that the Lebanese authorities’ responsibility is to set up a mission government to ensure that all the necessary reforms, including that of the public market and the bank, are implemented.

According to Le Drian, the international community, in particular, France, will not support the government demonstrating inaction in proceeding with the vital adjustments to the Lebanese political system.

The massive explosion that erupted at the port of Beirut destroyed half of the city’s buildings, killing more than 170 people and injuring more than 5,000 others.

The authorities said that the improper storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in the Beirut port was the reason for the blast.