Eurotopics.net

French President Macron has become the first foreign head of state to visit Lebanon after the devastating explosion in Beirut. Addressing citizens protesting against the government, he called for the setting up of an international aid programme to rebuild the battered country and stressed that the aid should go to the people directly. Commentators discuss whether this was the right gesture at the right time.

After the explosion in Beirut thousands are protesting against the country's political elites. Clashes with the police have left several people wounded. The investigations into the causes are focusing on thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate that were stored at the port, the management of which is widely regarded as corrupt. Observers fear Lebanon could be further destabilised, with fatal consequences.

Presidential elections will be held in Belarus on Sunday - but this time the usual election victory for Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for 26 years, is more uncertain than ever. The opposition has rallied around the candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who entered the race at short notice to replace her imprisoned husband. But not all commentators are convinced that she can win.

Greece and Egypt signed an agreement on Thursday on setting up an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries in the natural gas-rich eastern Mediterranean. The agreement between Turkey and Libya, which partly concerns the same area and which Athens and Cairo claimed violated their interests has "ended up in the wastepaper bin", as Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias put it. Can the deal really defuse the situation?

Many countries have recently seen their cinemas reopen after the lockdown. But especially for small operators, the business is hardly worthwhile because the distancing rules mean lower ticket sales. In addition audiences are staying away out of fear of infection, or because they have simply gotten used to the convenience of streaming services. Commentators say the industry itself is partly to blame for its plight.