Moments ago, the French President Emmanuel Macron said that he will not condemn the cartoons published recently by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, saying France has freedom of expression.
Macron, however, stressed in his concluding press conference at the end of his visit to Lebanon, that it was incumbent on French citizens to show civility and respect for each other, and avoid a “dialogue of hate.”
Macron arrived yesterday to Beirut where he held talks with politicians and called for immediate reforms that are enough to open the door for foreign financial aid.
The French President noted that it is possible that sanctions be imposed on corrupted Lebanese officials, which will happen in accordance with the European Union.
He stressed that he believes that the new government led by Mostafa Adib will start to implement the needed reforms within a period from 6 to 8 weeks, warning that if the government promises would not be met by the end of October, the international community will not provide any financial aid to Beirut.
On another hand, the French President said that he would travel to Iraq tomorrow, his first visit to the country, after two days in Lebanon.
French officials have said Paris was concerned by a resurgence in Iraq of the Islamic State group, which is profiting from political uncertainty in the country and rivalries between Iran and the United States in the region.
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