US intervention root cause of crisis in Lebanon: Hezbollah parliamentary bloc

The parliamentary bloc of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says US intervention in the Lebanon is the root cause of the ongoing political crisis in the West Asian country.

According to Press TV, the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc at the Lebanon parliament made the remarks in a televised statement released on Thursday, saying, “We condemn US intervention in Lebanon, which is the root cause of the current chaos.”

The statement then touched on the resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri after a spate of street protests engulfed the capital Beirut, saying that his resignation wasted the time needed to implement the package of reforms, widely seen as fundamental to steer the cash-strapped Arab country out of an economic collapse.

The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc further stated that Hariri’s decision to step down also wasted the time required in order to approve the 2020 state budget.

“We hope that binding parliamentary consultations will follow their normal course in a bid to form a government. We call on the security services and the army to carry out all their responsibilities to ensure the security of citizens, and not to leave them unprotected,” the statement added.

Hezbollah's parliamentary wing then called on the governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank, Riad Salameh, to take practical measures to prevent an economic collapse.

Hariri’s resignation was 'no secret' to Lebanon political parties

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Joumhouria daily newspaper, citing unnamed sources close to Hariri, reported on Thursday that all political parties in the country were aware of his decision, which was being deliberated.

“It (the decision) was made in Lebanon. There was no need to act surprisingly,” the sources said.

They noted that Hariri did not insist on staying in power, “but he would not hesitate to assume responsibility if re-appointed prime minister.”

Separately, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urged Lebanese officials to expedite the formation of the government.

“Following the resignation of PM Saad Hariri, it is essential for the future of Lebanon to accelerate the formation of a government that can proceed with the necessary reforms the country needs,” Le Drian said in a statement released on Thursday.

ME