France says it's ready to provide financial support to Lebanon

France said it will provide financial support to Lebanon - whether multilaterally or unilaterally - as Beirut struggles through one of its worst economic crises in decades.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire spoke to Reuters on Sunday at a G20 meeting, where he warned Washington against mixing Beirut's need for economic recovery and US efforts to cripple Iran, an ally of some ministers in the Lebanese government.

"France always stands ready to help Lebanon. It has always been the case in the past and it will be the case in the future," Le Maire told the agency on Sunday.

"If there is any help required from Lebanon, France will be there."

Lebanon has been crippled by a currency crisis and strict withdrawal limits at banks, which has seen a number of businesses close and money woes for its citizens.

Mass protests led to the fall of the previous government with new Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government being sworn in last month, following support from Hezbollah.

— Nizar Hassan || نزار حسن (@Nizhsn) February 22, 2020" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post After listening to both sides of the debate + some reflection, I think we should demand an immediate default (incl. on all eurobond payments) & a restructuring of public debt in Lebanon. I make the economic & political case in this piece for @The_NewArab. https://t.co/431QrpEcAv — Nizar Hassan || نزار حسن (@Nizhsn) February 22, 2020

France is concerned that the US - in its bid to pile on pressure on Iran regionally - might target Lebanon, due to the presence of Hezbollah-linked ministers in government.

"We know that there are ties between the two issues but we don't want to mix the issue of economic recovery in Lebanon, which is today the clear emergency, and the question of Iran," Le Maire added.