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ansible

(1,718 posts)
Thu Aug 6, 2020, 04:23 PM Aug 2020

Chants of 'revolution' in Beirut as France's Macron is mobbed by angry crowds

Source: cnn

(CNN)Large crowds mobbed French President Emmanuel Macron in Beirut as he toured a neighborhood of the Lebanese capital devastated by Tuesday's massive explosion. "Revolution, revolution!" people chanted, as shock at the devastation in the city gave way to anger on Thursday. New information reveals that Beirut officials had ignored repeated warnings about a stockpile of dangerous chemicals linked to the blast that has killed 137 people and injured 5,000.

Macron told a crowd of reporters and angry people that he would propose a "new political pact" to Lebanon's embattled political class during his visit to a predominantly Christian quarter of the city. "The people want the fall of the regime," the protesters shouted, echoing calls for the downfall of Lebanon's long-time political elite that were popularized during a nationwide uprising late last year. "Michel Aoun is a terrorist! Help us," one man pleaded, referring to the Lebanese president. One woman screamed inaudible words inches away from Macron's face. "They are terrorists," came the repeated cries.

Most people were masked, including the French president, who removed his face covering to speak to the press. There was no social distancing. An Elysée Palace spokesperson told CNN that Macron said to Lebanese protesters: "I am here and it's my duty to help you, as a whole population, to bring medication and food.


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/middleeast/beirut-explosion-anger-intl-hnk/index.html

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Chants of 'revolution' in Beirut as France's Macron is mobbed by angry crowds (Original Post) ansible Aug 2020 OP
one wonders why macron is in beirut... nt msongs Aug 2020 #1
Seems it was specifically to coordinate French aid Yeehah Aug 2020 #2
Former French sphere of influence DFW Aug 2020 #4
Imperialisme francais ansible Aug 2020 #5
It must have been a beautiful place way back when DFW Aug 2020 #6
+1. French is still a popular language in 54 countries dalton99a Aug 2020 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author Steelrolled Aug 2020 #3

Yeehah

(4,524 posts)
2. Seems it was specifically to coordinate French aid
Thu Aug 6, 2020, 07:36 PM
Aug 2020

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the country shortly after 11:15 CEST on Thursday, stressing on Twitter that "Lebanon is not alone."

Macron met with President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab as well as emergency services and NGOs at the port.

Paris has already sent three planes carrying aid and medical supplies and a fourth will be arriving later on Thursday.

"We will have to organise additional support in the coming days, at the French level, also at the European level. I wish to organise European cooperation and more broadly international cooperation," Macron said.

"The priority is aid, support to the population, unconditionally," he went on, adding: "Because it's Lebanon, because it's France."

But the French leader also said he will meet with the entire political establishment, as well as intellectuals and journalists for "a dialogue of truth".

https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/06/beirut-blast-port-officials-under-house-arrest-as-anger-grows-at-lebanon-s-elite

DFW

(54,057 posts)
4. Former French sphere of influence
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:46 AM
Aug 2020

Even today, French is almost as widely spoken in Beirut as Arabic

 

ansible

(1,718 posts)
5. Imperialisme francais
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 02:43 AM
Aug 2020

A lot of americans don't seem to realize just how powerful France still is, they hold an incredible amount of power and influence in their old colonial holdings. Hell, some of those protesters were even begging Macron to re-annex them again.

DFW

(54,057 posts)
6. It must have been a beautiful place way back when
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 03:37 AM
Aug 2020

A French friend of mine was born there and grew up there until he was about 15. He spoke fluent Arabic and after the place went to hell, and his family moved (back?) to France, he still chose to take his vacations in Arab countries, usually Morocco.

Response to ansible (Original post)

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