海角大神

Over the past month, ever since a blast devastated Beirut鈥檚 port killing more than 180 people, a number of foreign officials have visited Lebanon. They are in search of individuals who can be trusted to lift the country out of a deep crisis born of a corrupt elite. Lebanon, says French President Emmanuel聽Macron 鈥� who has visited twice since the blast 鈥� needs a 鈥渘ew political contract.鈥�

On Wednesday, the country鈥檚 elected leaders were even snubbed during a visit by a top U.S. official, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker. He held talks with civil society activists, many of whom are now seen as leaders in shaping an inclusive identity in Lebanon鈥檚 highly diverse population.

Meanwhile, the World Bank plans to work mainly with nongovernmental organizations to help Beirut recover from the Aug. 4 blast. It calls this a 鈥渨hole of Lebanon鈥� approach that will bypass corrupt institutions and ensure the 鈥渘eeds and priorities of the Lebanese people.鈥�

During his visit this week, the French president did meet with a few elected leaders but spent much of his time reminding the Lebanese of what binds them as a people.

He planted a cedar tree 鈥� the country鈥檚 emblem 鈥� at a special preserve. He met with famed singer Fayrouz. She is beloved in the Arab-speaking world and someone who unites Lebanon across its religious and ethnic divides. She remains a consoling voice in a fractured nation.

Before his arrival, Mr. Macron mediated the selection of a new prime minister for Lebanon, according to reports. The last government resigned after the blast, taking blame for a neglected store of explosive ammonium nitrate in the port.

He has also confronted Mohammed Raad, head of Hezbollah鈥檚 parliamentary bloc, asking him to prove his loyalty to Lebanon rather than to Iran, which backs the militant Islamic group. 鈥淓veryone knows that you have an Iranian agenda,鈥� Mr. Macron said, according to Le Figaro newspaper. 鈥淵ou want to help the Lebanese, yes or no?鈥�

He also has laid out specific reforms for Lebanon鈥檚 leaders to implement before they receive financial aid from international donors. These include a 鈥渇ull audit鈥� of the central bank, a new law to ensure the independence of the courts, and adequate support for the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Street protests that began last October against the ruling parties have continued despite mass poverty and the pandemic. 鈥淭he people are one 鈥� Shia, Sunni, 海角大神, they鈥檙e all one here,鈥� one protester said. Now with a little help from leaders abroad, the Lebanese might start to enjoy that oneness as a nation.