Saad Hariri: One Person Has Complicated Government Formation in Lebanon

Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, has stated that his efforts to form a new government are facing "significant obstacles" because "one person has complicated matters." Hariri was recently appointed Prime Minister based on a political agreement, which previously led to Michel Aoun becoming the President of Lebanon, a position that had been vacant for nearly two and a half years. Reuters reported that optimistic statements from rival political groups in the past two weeks had created the impression that a new cabinet would be formed by Lebanon's Independence Day, which is this Tuesday. However, on Monday, after meeting with Michel Aoun, Hariri expressed his doubts about forming the cabinet, saying, "There are serious obstacles, and one person has complicated matters." The Prime Minister did not name this individual. The apparent reasons for the tensions between rival factions include the division of cabinet positions and disagreements over a new electoral law that must be approved before the 2017 parliamentary elections. Lebanon urgently needs an effective government to implement long-delayed economic and development plans, such as improving the country's infrastructure and exploiting oil and gas resources. Political tensions, exacerbated by the Syrian civil war, have paralyzed political decision-making in Lebanon and heightened concerns about escalating instability in the country. The Lebanese parliament has not convened since 2009. Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, Saudi Arabia on Monday invited the new President of Lebanon to visit the country. Khalid Al-Faisal, the Saudi Crown Prince, told reporters after meeting with Michel Aoun that the Lebanese President accepted an invitation to travel to Riyadh after the new cabinet is formed. Lebanon has long been a battleground for rival groups. Some powerful players in the country, such as the Christian party led by Michel Aoun and Hezbollah, align with the Iranian government, while other groups align with Iran's main rival, Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia suspended its $3 billion military aid to Lebanon due to Hezbollah's role in the country.