Lebanon’s Fractious Politics Puts French Lifeline at Risk

A view of the damaged grain silo at the site of the massive explosion at Beirut's port area, as Lebanon marks one month since the August 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on Sept. 4, 2020. Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

BEIRUT—Lebanon’s sectarian politicians have overshot one deadline with France and missing more may put at risk a lifeline from Paris to haul the Middle East nation out of its worst crisis since a 1975-1990 civil war.

France has drawn up a timeline for Lebanon to tackle corruption and deliver reforms to help secure billions of dollars in foreign aid to save a country drowning in debt.