Saad Hariri: The New Lebanese Government Will Be Formed Within 10 Days

Saad Hariri, who has been tasked by the President of Lebanon to form a new cabinet, stated on Thursday, October 12, that the new government will be formed within a week to 10 days as the existing economic problems do not allow for further delays. According to Reuters, since the parliamentary elections in May, the new government has not yet been formed due to disagreements among the groups and parties present in the Lebanese parliament. In a television interview, Hariri said: 'The economic situation is very difficult, and we can no longer tolerate disagreements.' He added: 'There are solutions that (President Michel Aoun) and I have discussed.' Hariri expressed optimism about the formation of the new government, stating it would be established within a week to 10 days, with the 'majority support' of the Lebanese parliament members for his premiership. Reuters notes that for the past five months, since the parliamentary elections, Hariri has repeatedly expressed optimism regarding the formation of the new cabinet. The main parties and groups in the Lebanese parliament, which are divided based on various ethnic and religious sects, are in disagreement over the division of ministries. Meanwhile, foreign donors to Lebanon are calling for an end to these disagreements and the commencement of the new government. In April of this year, several countries pledged billions of dollars at a Paris conference to help resolve the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and develop the country, but these countries conditioned their aid on reforms in Lebanon. However, Hariri rejected any foreign pressure to form the cabinet, stating: 'We must cooperate with self-sacrifice.' The parliamentary elections in Lebanon, held after nine years in May, ended a political deadlock in the country over a new electoral law and the extension of the parliament's term. The position of Hezbollah and its allies improved in this election. The political system in Lebanon is based on the division of power among various groups. The president is elected from among Christians, the prime minister from Sunni Muslims, and the speaker of parliament from Shia Muslims. Parliamentary seats and government positions are also equally divided between Muslims and Christians.