Lebanon's crisis deepens: Hariri removed his candidacy to form a new government
The resigning Prime Minister has given up a new coalition, and there is no clear alternative on the horizon that would get the country out of the mud. Lebanon's economic situation is the worst since the civil war
Lebanon's crisis deepens: Hariri removed his candidacy to form a new government
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Amit SimchaResigning Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad al-Hariri said Wednesday that he is giving up his candidacy to form a new government. The Sunni politician's decision leaves Lebanon without a clear alternative, while the country is in the worst economic crisis since the civil war that occurred between 1975 and 1990.
Al-Hariri, the top Sunni politician in the country, gave up the role on the evening of the official consultations to elect a prime minister, a role reserved for the Sunni. Since al-Hariri's resignation two months ago, the major parties in Lebanon have had trouble forming a new government. Foreign donors have announced that they will grant aid only after a Cabinet can be reformed.
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To the full articleGave up on forming a new government. Al-Hariri (Photo: Reuters)
Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad al-Hariri announces his resignation, October 29, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)
Al-Hariri, ally of the West and Persian Gulf states, resigned under pressure from huge protests against the ruling elites in the country that led Lebanon into crisis. This week he was expected to reappoint the post of prime minister, where he served three times. The consultations, which were rejected following political controversy, demanded President Michel Aoun appoint the most supportive candidate among 128 MPs.
"I announce that I will not run for the next government train," said al-Hariri. "It has been made clear to me that despite my absolute commitment to form a government of experts, others will not change their positions." Al-Hariri added that he would attend the consultations on Thursday, insisting that they continue. However, he did not say who would support. The Future Stream party headed by it is expected to convene on Thursday to decide its candidate for prime minister.
Hizbullah's pro-Iranian Shiite organization and its allies, including the Aoun Free Patriotic Party (FPM), rejected Al-Hariri's demand to form a government of expert ministers. Instead, they tried to formulate a cabinet incorporating politicians and technocrats.