EU: deep concern for Lebanon's political, economic crisis

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The European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed his concern over the political and economic crisis in Lebanon.

Borrell said from Beirut that the European Union can't provide Lebanon with aid without the latter undertaking the necessary reforms.

In addition, he stressed that once approved by the International Monetary Fund, the union will provide loans to Lebanon to support its economy, which suffers from a severe crisis.

Borrell revealed that the European Union is considering imposing sanctions on some Lebanese figures due to the crisis in the country.

The official in the European Union stressed the necessity of holding the elections on time in Lebanon, declaring the Union's readiness to send a committee to monitor the progress of the electoral process.

According to a statement issued by Brussels, the visit comes “on behalf of the European Union, at a very critical moment in which the country is suffering from several crises,” and at a time when “the Lebanese political leadership urgently needs to form a government and implement major reforms.”

The European official is scheduled to meet with Lebanese political and military leaders, as well as with civil society organizations.

The visit schedule includes meetings with President Michel Aoun, Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, Acting Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs in the caretaker government, Zeina Akar, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

A United Nations report revealed that half of the Lebanese live in poverty, and the acute poverty level rose from 8% in 2019 to 23% in 2020.

The report stated that the consumption index rose between 2019 and 2021 by 280 percent, while food prices increased by 670%.