Jordan's King: The Lebanese Crisis Might Extend beyond Its Borders
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Jordanian King Abdullah II has pointed out that the Beirut port blast has had a great impact on the difficult economic and humanitarian situation in Lebanon, which necessitates global attention and support to help the Lebanese people.
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Jordan's King: The Lebanese people are in our hearts and thoughts
Yesterday, Wednesday, Jordan's King Abdullah II called for "coordinating and organizing the roles of international bodies to ensure immediate action and rapid response to the crises, whilst fulfilling the actual needs on the ground and avoiding double-standards," during the third international conference held in support of Lebanon and organized by France in partnership with the United Nations. The conference was held in conjunction with the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast.
The Jordanian King praised the steadfastness of the Lebanese people and addressed them saying, "Our message today is that the Lebanese people are in our hearts and thoughts. We stand by you in these difficult times."
He pointed out that "the explosion has had a significant impact on the difficult economic and humanitarian situation in Lebanon, which necessitates global attention and support in bringing the international efforts together to help the Lebanese people in their time of need," noting that "without a well-coordinated international effort, the crisis in Lebanon may extend beyond its borders and cast its shadow over the region and beyond.”
He added, "Therefore, the support we are to provide must meet the actual needs on the ground for the time being and in the long term while avoiding double standards and effectively concerting roles. Coordination will enable us to direct the capabilities in the region in a way that ensures immediate action and rapid response to any crisis at its onset."
The Jordanian King also stressed that “there cannot be any slackening and we will not allow Lebanon and the Lebanese people to get anywhere near the brink. We must keep exerting our utmost efforts to provide humanitarian and medical aid, in light of the COVID pandemic and the worsening food shortage situation. At the same time, we must not forget to look for ways to enable Lebanon to return to a sustainable path of reform, recovery, and development.”
King Abdullah II also stressed the need to "strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese military establishment and security services, which will enable them to meet the needs of the Lebanese people in these difficult times."
The countries participating in the international aid conference have pledged to donate $370 million in aid to Lebanon, according to a statement they issued.
The participants reiterated their call for "forming a government whose mission is to save the country" and expressed their concern over the judicial delay regarding the horrific Beirut blast that shook the country's capital last year.
