UN Envoy Warns: Lebanon is collapsing

Amid an economic crisis that has resulted in “brutal poverty” of civilians, an impartial UN envoy stated that Lebanese government officials had no sense of urgency or commitment to undertake their responsibilities.

“I am astounded that this is a country that is on the verge of crumbling, if not already falling, and that the population’s needs have not been met.”

“They live in a dream world,” he said, “and this does not bode well for the country’s future.”

De Schutter met with a group of top officials during his tour, which included nine ministries, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament.

Najib Mikati, an official source in the Prime Minister’s Office, declined to comment on his claims but said Mikati met with another UN official this week, David Beasley, the Executive Director of the World Food Program.