French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing Lebanon's political leaders to install an interim government able to enact reforms, win back public confidence and persuade donors to release billions of dollars in aid.
A Lebanese government source told Reuters that he wants two-time former prime minister Saad Hariri to head this government.
The cost of rebuilding Beirut is estimated at up to $30 billion, money Lebanon does not have. Mr Macron wants to use this as leverage for his reforms.
The French president made his zeal for change clear when he visited Beirut in the aftermath of the devastating port explosions in early August.
“We must today proceed with reforms to change the system to stop the division of Lebanon, to fight against corruption, to have transparency and truth. This explosion is the consequence of negligence," he said.
Mr Macron is seeking a coalition of international support for his mediation, and has already spoken to Russia and Iran – which both have ties to armed Shiite group Hezbollah.
American support will also be crucial, both at a geopolitical level and within the International Monetary Fund. Lebanon entered talks with the IMF in May after defaulting on foreign currency debt but the negotiations stalled in the absence of reforms.
Obstacles in the path of regime change
Moves by the French leader to intercede in the divided country will be welcomed by the supporters who mobbed Mr Macron on his visit to Beirut – with one man telling him: “We don't want the [aid money] to go to our government." But the task won’t be straightforward.
Suspicions Mr Macron is seeking undue influence prevail, and a senior Lebanese politician source told Reuters that the French head of state is acting as a de facto president.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the country's Christian parties are said to oppose Macron's proposal, according to the source.
If Lebanon's factions won't eventually bend to donors' demands, French lawmaker Loic Kervran, who chairs the France-Lebanon committee, said sanctions could be imposed, including asset freezes or travel bans on the elite, some of whom own upmarket property in Paris.
"Lebanese politicians travel a lot, and they travel a lot to Paris," Mr Kervran said. "It's an important pressure tool."
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
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Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
