Speaking in a televised address, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab warned that he would stop working, even at his caretaker capacity, in order to pressure for the formation of a new government.
He noted that even if retreating went against his convictions because the situation in the country cannot afford more disruption, he would do it if it would speed up the Cabinet formation process.
Lebanon has been in the hands of a caretaker government for the past 7 months since Diab resigned in the wake of the Beirut Explosion.
Diab is threatening to step away from his duties in a time where the country’s deteriorating situation has reached its worst state yet with the Lebanese pound continuously dropping against the dollar, currently trading at 10,750 LBP.
“Don’t the Lebanese deserve small sacrifices for the sake of the nation?” he asked, adding, “What is the point of having one more or less minister if the whole country collapses?”
His question refers to the dispute over the division of ministries between Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, which has kept the pair from forming a new government and the country in a continuous collapse.
Since Hariri was appointed PM-designate in late October 2020, he and Aoun have yet not been able to form a new government that would rescue the country.
Even Pope Francis has called on Lebanon’s leaders to set aside their personal interests and work for the quick economic recovery and reconstruction of the country.
As of the time of writing, protests are increasing on the ground and also on social media where the hashtag ١١٨_استقالة_الآن (118 resignations now) is trending, calling on all the remaining parliamentarians to resign.