Lebanon president Aoun designates Diab as country's new premier

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun has designated former education minister as the country’s new prime minister after he got the confidence vote of nearly 70 lawmakers during consultations on the matter.

According to a statement released by the Lebanon’s media quoting the Lebanese Presidency, the designation of Hassan Diab for prime minister has been endorsed by 69 members of the parliament.

The statement added that 13 lawmakers voted for Nawwaf Salam while 42 others did not endorse anyone for premiership.

Following his designation, Lebanon's newly-named prime minister vowed to form a government quickly that works to pull the country out of economic crisis and reassures people who have protested against the political class for two months, Reuters reported.

"All our efforts must now focus on stopping the collapse and restoring confidence," he added.

President Michel Aoun, who has been at loggerheads with outgoing Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, began consultations on Thursday with deputies to designate the new premier, who must be a Sunni Muslim in Lebanon's political system.

Diab, who has a doctorate in computer engineering, served as the education minister in a government led by former premier Najib Mikati.

Elie Ferzli, the deputy parliament speaker and a political ally of Hezbollah, was the first lawmaker to declare support for Diab. Ferzli said Diab's nomination took "into account some of the basic prerequisites wanted by the people", calling him an "academic and person of integrity".

Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammad Raad said the group had extended the hand of cooperation "for the sake of the country".

Diab emerged as a candidate for the position at the last minute when Hariri withdrew his candidacy on Wednesday.

The decision followed a move by the Christian Lebanese Forces to nominate neither Hariri nor anyone else for the position. The Lebanese Forces was once a close ally of Hariri.

 Hariri's Future Movement also named no one for the post and told Aoun it would not take part in the next government.

SS