Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri expressed hope that disagreements overshadowing the government formation process would “disappear,” according to a statement released by his office Saturday.
“I believe that all political parties realize the regional, security, economic and environmental challenges that we face,” Hariri said, calling on politicians to be “humble” and think in terms of Lebanon’s best interest.
Hariri’s comments came during a Friday night dinner held by Khatib & Alami engineering company in the honor of United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Lebanon Hamad al-Shamsi, attended by a number of caretaker ministers, MPs and other officials.
The premier-designate addressed the economic situation, and said that Lebanon needed to seize the opportunity provided by the CEDRE conference, which took place in Paris in April, when $12.5 billion was pledged to help Lebanon with essential projects, according to Hariri.
“The economic situation needs attention, and we have an opportunity through the CEDRE conference to advance the country,” he said.
Hariri previously underlined the urgency to swiftly form a government that would carry out structural economic reforms demanded by CEDRE to salvage the battered economy, which is burdened by more than $80 billion in public debt.
“The world wants to help us, and we the Lebanese must help ourselves,” he was quoted as saying.
Hariri was tasked in May with forming a government, but his efforts have faced obstacles amid demands from several political sides.
Hariri presented Aoun with a Cabinet formula Sept. 3, but shortly after the premier-designate left Baabda Palace, Aoun’s office issued a statement saying that the president “had some remarks on the [lineup] based on the principles and criteria that he had specified for the government’s structure and that Lebanon’s interests require.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.
