Agreement Reached to Form Lebanese Govt. of Experts, Politicians
Arab World
Beirut – Asharq Al-Awsat
Political parties in Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to appoint Samir al-Khatib as prime minister, tasking him with forming a government of experts and politicians. Observers have said that the lineup will likely be made up of 20 ministers, 14 of whom are experts and six are distributed among the political parties. Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Tuesday that he backed Khatib’s appointment, but “some details remain”. He made his remarks after holding talks with Progressive Socialist Party leader and Druze chief Walid Jumblatt. Hariri declared that his Mustaqbal Movement will nominate experts to the government, not politicians. He also held talks on Tuesday with caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, aide to parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Hussein al-Khalil, political aide to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Lebanon was plunged in turmoil after the eruption of mass protests on October 17 demanding the overhaul of the country’s political elite, whom the protesters accuse of rampant corruption. They have been demanding the formation of a government of experts, who can tackle the worst economic crisis Lebanon has seen in decades. They have repeatedly voiced their rejection of the formation of a government that includes members of the political class. Khatib on Tuesday met with President Michel Aoun and his son-in-law and head of the Free Patriotic Movement Gebran Bassil. Bassil, who is also caretaker foreign minister, said that an agreement has been reached that a new government will be headed by a figure backed by Hariri. Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Bassil’s comments can be interpreted as a sign that he will not be part of the new cabinet. While protesters have rallied against the entire political class, Bassil is arguably the most reviled leader among the protesters. Jumblatt also met Berri on Tuesday. Sources from the meeting said the speaker backed Hariri’s choice for premier and the formation of a 20-member cabinet. The six ministers who will represent political parties must not include contentious figures and lawmakers must not be allowed to become ministers. The sources added that Berri believes that Hariri is the most capable figure to address the international community during this critical times. He cited his wide Arab and international relations, which he can employ in helping Lebanon end its mounting crises.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2020531/agreement-reached-form-lebanese-govt-experts-politicians
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