Hariri Holds Phone Consultations with ex-PMs, to Meet Blocs Friday
After his designation to form the new government on Thursday, Premier-designate Saad Hariri held protocol consultations with ex-PMs Salim Hoss, Najib Miqati, Fouad Saniora, Tammam Salam and Hassan Diab.
A statement issued by Hariri’s press office said the consultations were held over the phone for security reasons.
“They wished him success in his duties to form a government to stop the collapse and rebuild what the Beirut port explosion destroyed,” the statement said.
Parliament’s general-secretariat meanwhile announced that Hariri’s non-binding consultations with parliamentary blocs over the shape and program of the new government will be held Friday at parliament.
After his designation, the returning premier vowed to form a cabinet of experts, in line with conditions set by French President Emmanuel Macron to help rescue the corruption-ridden country from crisis.
Hariri said he would "form a cabinet of non politically aligned experts with the mission of economic, financial and administrative reforms contained in the French initiative roadmap."
"I will work on forming a government quickly because time is running out," he said, calling it the country's "only and last chance."
Cabinet formation is often a drawn-out process in Lebanon, where a complex governing system seeks to maintain a precarious balance between its various political and religious communities.