Macron receives a grand welcome in devastated Beirut

French President Emmanuel #Macron tweeted in solidarity with people of #Lebanon following the massive explosion in its capital. It did not go over well and just reminded critics of the troubled history the two countries share. On Thursday Macron became the first international leader to visit #Beirut, which was literally“devastated” by the blast in the city’s port on Tuesday, as local authorities put it. It was supposed to be a gesture of goodwill and the beginning of an international aid effort. The French leader himself said that he aims to “organize European cooperation and, more broadly, international cooperation.” Some called out hypocrisy in Macron’s supposedly heartfelt message on Twitter, reminding of his ongoing support for Israel “which bombed Lebanon several times.”