Report: President Sees 'No Alternative' for French Initiative
Despite the failed endeavors to form a new government in Lebanon under now-resigned PM-designate Mustafa Adib, President Michel Aoun reportedly pins hopes on the French initiative to form a reform-minded government to stop the country’s ongoing collapse, Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said on Monday.
Sources close to Aoun told the daily “the President adheres to the initiative seeing no alternative for it in the foreseeing future.
“He pins high hopes on it, perhaps it would help him complete his presidential term with an achievement by stopping the country’s deterioration towards chaos and collapse,” the sources said on condition of anonymity.
Regarding the parties he blames for foiling French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative, the sources said that Aoun “distributes the blame between the former prime ministers, and more so on his own allies, Hizbullah and Amal Movement, for refusing to settle the dispute and insisting on retaining the Ministry of Finance portfolio.”
Macron has visited Lebanon twice since the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut's port -- that led the government to resign -- and has pushed for Lebanon's leaders to support a new premier in swiftly forming a fresh cabinet.
After prime minister-designate Mustapha Adib resigned late in August, Macron accused Lebanon's political leaders of "collective betrayal" and said he was "ashamed" of them.
Adib's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively blocked by the main parties representing Lebanon's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hizbullah.
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control.
Macron has visited Lebanon twice since the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut's port -- that led the government to resign -- and has pushed for Lebanon's leaders to support a new premier in swiftly forming a fresh cabinet.
After prime minister-designate Mustapha Adib resigned late in August, Macron accused Lebanon's political leaders of "collective betrayal" and said he was "ashamed" of them.
Adib's efforts to come up with a new line-up have been effectively blocked by the main parties representing Lebanon's large Shiite community -- Amal and Hizbullah.
The two parties have refused to budge on their demand to keep the finance ministry under their control.
Source: Naharnet
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