French President Emmanuel Macron returned to Lebanon on Monday for a two-day visit and a timetable full of events and political talks aimed at drawing a way out for the country post the fatal blasts that hit Beirut Port on August 4.
Macron's first meeting was not with the prime minister, nor with the country's politicians or civil society activists. Instead, he chose to see Lebanon's first songstress, Fairuz.
After arriving at Beirut airport on Monday evening, Macron headed straight to see Fairuz at her home in Rabieh, north of Beirut, away from the media at her request.
The French President described Fairoz as "beautiful and "very strong," and said, "I spoke with her about everything that she represents to me, about the Lebanon we love and what it awaits from us, and about the longing that haunts us."
When he was asked about his favorite song by Fairuz, he answered Li Beirut "to Beirut" that was broadcast by local channels, while they were showing pictures of the explosion and its consequences.
As he left the house of Mrs. Fairuz, Macron told reporters that he "promises that Lebanon will be better than it is now and that Mrs. Fairuz is an icon and has a special place in the hearts of the French, and the meeting was indeed exceptional."
Macron awarded Fairuz the highest French honor, the Commandeur's Legion of Honor. In return, she thanked and gave him a souvenir, which was said to be a painting, according to the National Information Agency.
Cadeau tableau de #fairuz a #emmanuel #macron #liban pic.twitter.com/hFwmpkv0GH
— Rita khoury (@ritakhoury10) August 31, 2020
