Lebanon’s Mikati says formation of new government slower than expected
Lebanon’s new Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati has acknowledged that the formation of his cabinet is slower than expected, as the cash-strapped Arab country is desperately in need of filling a persisting political vacuum and addressing the ongoing socioeconomic crisis.
The 65-year-old tycoon made the comment following a meeting with President Michel Aoun on Monday, implying that he has a bumpy road ahead in forming a new government.
“I had hoped for a pace that was faster than this in the government formation. It is a bit slow,” said Mikati, some two weeks after the former premier-designate, Saad Hariri, resigned as a result of a nine-month political deadlock.
Mikati, a wealthy businessman, said he would meet Aoun again on Thursday.
The new prime minister-designate will need to agree with Aoun on the composition of any new government.
Lebanon faces major woes, including a crippling financial crisis and severe shortages of basic goods such as medicine and fuel.
“As far as I am concerned, the timeframe is not open. Let he who wishes to understand, understand,” Mikati said, when asked whether he had a deadline for his efforts.
Back in May, the 51-year-old Hariri, who is a veteran Sunni Muslim politician, said he would not form a government that simply complies with the wishes of Aoun, who is a Maronite Christian, nor any other political faction.
Hariri was tasked with forming a government for the fourth time in October 2020. That was one year after he resigned as prime minister amid mass protests.
A caretaker administration by Hassan Diab has run the small country for nearly a year, while the currency has collapsed, jobs have vanished and banks have frozen accounts.
MG
