Tarraf Carries 'Urgent Message' from EU to Lebanese Leaders

EU Ambassador to Lebanon Ralph Tarraf announced that he met Thursday with President Michel Aoun, PM-designate Najib Miqati and Speaker Nabih Berri, carrying “an urgent message from the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell.”

“We are very concerned by the rapid deterioration of the economic, financial, security and social crisis. The Authorities are struggling to uphold the delivery of essential services and supplies. Lebanese are suffering,” Tarraf said after meeting Aoun in Baabda.

He added that the horrific explosion in Akkar is “yet another example of people paying the price of political inaction.”

“Almost two weeks later, it saddens me to read about new lives taken by this tragedy. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to their families. I stand before you, to urge, once again, the decision makers in this country to form a government and take the necessary reforms and measures to get Lebanon out of its current crisis,” Tarraf went on to say.

He noted that once a government is formed, the European Union will “relaunch the negotiations on our partnership priorities with Lebanon.”

“We will consider a Macro-Financial Assistance package, if a disbursing program with the International Monetary Fund is in place. We also offer our support to the 2022 electoral process,” Tarraf added.

“The European Union continues to provide substantial assistance to the people of Lebanon. They can count on us at this difficult juncture. But the Lebanese decision makers need to live up to their responsibilities as well. The moment to act is now,” he urged.