US Stresses Need for Urgent Reform in Lebanon

The United States (US) State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that the US government is stressing the need for an anti-corruption drive and urgent reform agenda in Lebanon.

In press statements to "Al-Hurra" TV channel, the US official added, “The new Lebanese government must demonstrate it is ready to act in the interests of the Lebanese people by fighting corruption and implementing reforms that can address the demands of the Lebanese people for economic opportunity, accountability, and transparency."

He also noted that the August 4 explosion has upped the calls of the Lebanese people and the international community for significant reforms in the country, transparency measures, and economic stability.

It is worth mentioning that, US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker is set to arrive in Lebanon on Wednesday.

It is scheduled that he will meet with civil society representatives to discuss US assistance efforts in the wake of the August 4 Beirut port explosion, and urge Lebanese leaders to implement reforms, according to an official statement by the US State Department.