Hizbullah candidate was given the mandate to form a new government in Lebanon

The Shiite bloc, which has a majority in the Lebanese parliament, proposed Hassan Diab for office, after al-Hariri withdrew due to his demand to chair an expert government as protesters demanded. However, he will find it difficult to obtain his Western aid in need of a severe political and economic crisis

Hizbullah candidate was given the mandate to form a new government in Lebanon

Former Minister Hassan Diab on Thursday received the mandate to head the new Lebanese government, thanks to the support of Hezbollah and the Shi'ite allies. His nomination, if approved in parliament, may complicate the state's efforts to receive economic assistance from the West, while it is groaning under the most severe economic crisis since the 1990 civil war.

The country of the Cedars has been seeking a new prime minister since outgoing prime minister Sa'ad al-Hariri resigned on October 29 due to unprecedented protests against the ruling elite. However, efforts to reach agreement on a new prime minister and a new government have stalled in controversies reflecting tensions between al-Hariri, supported by Western and Sunni Gulf states, and Hezbollah under heavy US sanctions in view of its definition of a terrorist organization. Yesterday, al-Hariri withdrew his expected candidacy to form the new government.

He has already said he will only be able to return to office only if he heads an expert government, which he believes will secure Western economic support and please the protesters.

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Nasrallah supporters in convoy in southern Lebanon, October (Photo: Reuters)

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in a convoy in southern Lebanon, October 25, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Diab received the mandate from Lebanese President Michel Aoun Christian, who is a Hezbollah ally and is also in political confrontation with al-Hariri, following consultations with MPs to select a candidate for prime minister, whom he must appoint a Sunni Muslim based on Lebanon's sectarian political system.

Although Diab, a former education minister and engineer in his capacity, received the highest number of recommendations - Hezbollah and his allies won most of last year's parliamentary elections - he did not receive al-Hariri's support, which was not named in the name of any other candidate.

Ali Presley, the deputy chairman of parliament and Hezbollah's political ally, was the first legislator to declare his support for Diab. However, while he said his appointment "takes into account some of the basic conditions demanded by the people", calling him "an academic and a straight man" Former government Najib Mikati said he was not the right person.

"I do not want to disappoint the citizens of Lebanon, but I am skeptical that any of the proposed names can carry (the responsibility) during this period," said Miki, who supported Al-Hariri for the post. Diab served in one of Miki's governments.

Mohammed Haga Ali, a fellow at the Carnegie Center for Middle East Studies, said the political tensions could lead to clashes between Hezbollah and Shi'ite supporters, on the one hand, and Al-Hariri's Sunni supporters. Over the past week, there have been clashes between Hezbollah and Amal supporters, protesters and police.

"Al-Hariri's lack of support means it will be a party government, which means there is a lower likelihood that they will receive (foreign) aid," he said.

(Update first: 12:40)