On Tuesday, Iran-backed Hezbollah's commander Hassan Nasrallah criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's statements, calling on him not to act like the country's ruler.
In a televised address, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also welcomed efforts to help Lebanon out of crisis, saying that they are remained ready for dialogue under the French roadmap to pull the nation out of financial meltdown. But he called for reviewing what he called Macron's patronizing behavior.
Notably, Macron has previously rebuked Lebanese sectarian leaders for failing to swiftly agree a new government.
The French president said he was "ashamed" of Lebanese politicians and deemed it a betrayal as his initiative faltered.
Macron accused Lebanon’s leaders of betraying their promises over the failure to form a government, against the pledges they made to him on September 1 during his second visit to Lebanon.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris, Macron said that the political elite had decided “to betray” their obligations and had committed “collective treason” by failing to form a government.
“They have decided to betray this commitment (to form a government),” Macron told reporters, declaring he was “ashamed” of the country’s leaders.
“I see that the Lebanese authorities and political forces chose to favor their partisan and inpidual interests to the detriment of the general interest of the the country,” he added.
Macron added, “The road map (announced) on the September 1st remains the only initiative that has been taken at the national, regional and international levels … It has not been withdrawn from the table (…) but it is coming back.” Now, the Lebanese officials should seize this last opportunity. ”
Earlier on Saturday, Lebanon‘s Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Adib apologized for the task of forming a new government in light of the parties’ differences over ministerial portfolios, despite international pressure.
This apology was a blow to the initiative launched by the French President after the tragic blast in the Beirut port on August 4.