Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri following parliamentary consultations on October 23, 2020. Photo credit: Lebanese Parliament
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri following parliamentary consultations on October 23, 2020. Photo credit: Lebanese Parliament

A new initiative to form a government will come after the Muslim holiday of Eid al Fitr, nearly 9 months almost after the resignation of the Hassan Diab government and as the emergency becomes clearer with the end of the purchase subsidy program basic necessities from the BdL and the consequences that this will have on the social and economic conditions of the population.

Contacts would thus be in progress between the president of the chamber Nabih Berri and the Maronite patriarch Béchara Boutros Rahi, who would work as mediators between the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun and the Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, more isolated than ever on the local and international level by having undergone a formal affront on the part of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Yves le Drian during his visit to Lebanon last week.

On the international community side, the pressure has been further accentuated on the political class subjected to pressure from the European Union, whose officials no longer hesitate to mention the imposition of economic sanctions targeting Lebanese politicians.
This pressure is also internal with the looming gasoline shortages or the upcoming degradation of the Lebanese pound against the dollar while the inflation of basic products resumes. Observers note that despite the optimism displayed by Governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salamé, social unrest can no longer be ruled out.

Between the political parties, dissension is also in order between a president of the republic who would like to participate in the process of appointing certain ministers and the prime minister who would like to appoint all of his cabinet, indicate sources close to Baabda who also note that the head of state would not require a third party blocking, contrary to the remarks made by Saad Hariri.

However, Saad Hariri’s departure from Abu Dhabi on Wednesday delayed the establishment of a new attempt, which should take place upon his return to Lebanon.

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