Lebanon’s Aoun says committed to PM nomination

Country has been without gov’t since resignation of Diab’s cabinet in August

2020-10-21 16:27:43

BEIRUT, Lebanon

Lebanese President Michel Aoun vowed Wednesday to shoulder his responsibility in designating a prime minister to form a new government to deal with the country's economic crisis.

“I will stay committed to the process and hope that everyone thinks well about the designation and [government] formation,” Aoun said in a televised address.

“I have said my word and I will not walk away,” Aoun stressed.

Lebanon has been without a government since the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab's cabinet in August following a mass explosion at Beirut's port.

Talks between the country's sectarian parties have failed to agree on the formation of a new government to carry out reforms needed to cruise the country out of its current economic crisis.

Aoun said that corruption has become “institutionally organized and deep-rooted” in Lebanon.

Since October 2019, Lebanon has been mired by protests over the deterioration of the economic conditions, unemployment and the imposition of extra taxes. 

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara