French President Emmanuel Macron Visited Shell-Shocked Beirut On Thursday

France 24: Macron pledges help for Beirut as Lebanese rage against rulers

French President Emmanuel Macron visited shell-shocked Beirut on Thursday, pledging support and urging change after a massive explosion devastated the Lebanese capital in a disaster that has sparked grief and fury. Follow the day's events as they unfolded on our liveblog.

Macron was the first foreign head of state to make the trip after two explosions rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing scores, injuring thousands and inflicting billions of euros in damage.

The French leader pledged the support of Lebanon's former colonial power and urged reform, telling crowds that he was not planning to write a blank cheque to the country's discredited regime.

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More News On French President Emmanuel Macron's Visit To Beirut

In devastated Beirut, French leader offers comfort and a hug -- AP
On Beirut visit, Macron says aid to go 'directly to the people', relief groups -- France 24
Macron promises angry Beirut crowds aid won't go to "corrupt hands" -- Reuters
Macron visits Beirut in aftermath of devastating blast -- Euronews
Beirut explosion: Macron calls for 'deep change' in Lebanon after blast -- BBC
‘Without reforms, Lebanon will continue to suffer,’ says Macron in Beirut -- France 24
After deadly blast, Beirut residents look to Macron for relief -- Al Jazeera
44,000 sign petition for France to take control of Lebanon -- DW

France Blames Syria And hezbollah For Attack On French UN Peace-Keepers In Lebanon

Five French members of the A military expert, part of the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, takes pictures of a damaged U.N. vehicle as Lebanese soldiers secure the area on the outskirts of the city of Tyre. (Reuters)

France Points Finger At Syria For Lebanon Attack -- Yahoo News/Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Sunday Paris believed Syria was behind attacks on its troops in Lebanon earlier this week.

A roadside bomb wounded five French peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Friday, in the third attack this year on United Nations forces deployed near the frontier with Israel.

"We have strong reason to believe these attacks came from there (Syria)," Juppe said on RFI radio. "We think it's most probable, but I don't have proof."

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More News On France Accusing Syria/Hezbollah For Friday's Attack

France suspects Syria is behind bombing against French troops in Lebanon -- Washington Post/AP
Hezbollah and Syria reject French accusations over attack on U.N. peacekeepers -- Al Arabiya News
French accusations put Syria's allies in spotlight -- Reuters
Syria denies involvement in Lebanon bombing -- CNN
Syria denies link to bombing of UN troops in Lebanon -- AFP
Syria says it wasn't behind UNIFIL attack -- UPI