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Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib has resigned. He had tried in vain to form a new government for about a month. He is now giving up, the 48-year-old said after meeting with President Michel Aoun.
The previous Lebanese government announced its resignation after the national disaster of August 4. At that time, more than 190 people were killed in an explosion in the port of the capital, Beirut, and around 6,000 were injured. President Aoun then selected Adib as the new prime minister and tasked him with forming a government. He had previously been his country’s ambassador in Berlin.
According to the dpa news agency, which cites Lebanese government circles, the main reason for Adib’s failure is the dispute between rival political groups. According to media reports, the Shiite Amal movement insisted on the Finance Minister’s office. He has close contacts with the Shiite Hezbollah.
Severe economic crisis
Many government posts in Lebanon are allocated according to a proportional system among the various denominations. However, Adib did not want to take this into account, instead he wanted experts to fill key departments. The politician said in a television speech that he hoped his successor would be more successful. It is not yet clear who it will be.
Lebanon has been suffering from a serious economic crisis for months. The corona pandemic and the explosion in Beirut have further exacerbated the situation.
France wants to give the country the help it urgently needs, but in return is demanding far-reaching reforms, for example in the fight against corruption. President Emmanuel Macron tied aid to the rapid formation of a government and set Lebanese parties a 15-day deadline on September 1. It already had to be expanded.
