Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he understands Lebanese Australians’ desire to see political and economic reform in Beirut but has downplayed Australia’s power to influence this outcome.
The devastating explosion in Lebanon's capital has inflamed anger against government corruption, negligence and economic mismanagement, and has reignited calls from the Lebanese people for systemic change.
World leaders have told Lebanon financial aid offered towards recovery efforts will be dependent on its government addressing these concerns.
Mr Morrison said Australia backed the push being led by French President Emmanuel Macron, but its role in effecting change should not be overstated.
“Australia is not going to pretend to a role in this issue that we don’t have,” he told reporters in Canberra.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says $5 million in aid is going towards relief efforts in Beirut. Source: AAP
“Of course, we want to see Lebanon as a functional, prosperous state. I think all Australians of Lebanese heritage would certainly want that.
“But at the same time, I don't want it to suggest that Australia is playing some sort of direct interventionist role in terms of seeking those types of outcomes.”
The Australian government committed a further $3 million towards relief efforts for survivors following a virtual emergency meeting with world leaders on Sunday night.
International donors have together promised around $416 million towards recovery efforts in Beirut.
The aid will be coordinated by the UN and delivered directly to the Lebanese people - in a clear indication that no money is going directly to the government.
Mr Morrison said world leaders have also stressed the need for a "credible" investigation into the incident, which occurred when a warehouse packed with ammonium nitrate exploded.
He said his advice was that the disaster had been a “horrific accident”.
There are around 230,000 people of Lebanese heritage in Australia at any one time, and around 5,000 Australians in Beirut.
Mr Morrison said Australia’s decision to commit a total of $5 million towards aid efforts has been motivated by the nation’s large Lebanese community.
“That will be to support the most urgent of humanitarian supplies that are needed in these circumstances,” he said.
Mr Morrison also didn’t rule out further Australian deaths from the massive explosion.
"With the number of casualties and the amount of uncertainty there, we obviously can't rule out anything further,” he said.
Lebanon was already facing its worst political and economic crisis since the civil war of 1975-1990 before the explosion took place.
Mr Macron, whose country France once governed Lebanon as a protectorate, said action must be taken to address the demands of the Lebanese people.
"We have to do everything we can so that violence and chaos do not win the day," he said in a statement.
With AAP
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