Hariri Says Not to Return to Premiership
BEIRUT (Dispatches) – Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says he does not intend to return to the premiership and head a new government, stating that he has moved on from the post and that he is not obstructing the formation of a new cabinet amid a deep financial crisis.
"Analyses that say the obstruction of government formation is linked to my return to the premiership are simply delusions and undisguised attempts to make me responsible for the obstruction,” Hariri wrote in a series of posts published on his official Twitter page on Tuesday.
He added, "My decisive decision is that [the premiership] is behind me, and that my resignation responded to people’s anger in order to open the way for a new phase.”
Politicians have failed to agree on a government or an economic rescue plan since protests pushed Hariri to quit as prime minister in October.
On October 29, Hariri submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun.
Under the constitution, Hariri’s cabinet would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab has vowed to form a government made up of "independent specialists,” who do not belong to political parties.
However, some observers are worried about efforts by foreign players to draw the country into chaos.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale visited Beirut last month, just as Diab assumed office.
A day earlier, Hariri said in tweet that Lebanon needs to quickly form a new government to stop a cycle of collapse and worsening economic and security conditions.
"The continuation of the caretaker government is not the solution so let’s stop wasting time and have the government bear the responsibility,” Hariri said.
Beirut has been rocked in recent days by some of the worst protests since the unrest began, with 370 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces on Saturday.
President Michel Aoun met security chiefs on Monday to work out a plan for deterring violent groups that "security services have detailed information on” while protecting property and peaceful protesters, sources at the meeting said.
Lebanon’s unrest is fueled in part by deep financial strains that have sunk the currency, pushed up prices and driven banks to impose capital controls.
Separately, a parliament session set to discuss and endorse the draft 2020 state budget was postponed until next week.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency said on Tuesday that legislators were initially scheduled to hold sessions on January 22-23, but it was postponed until January 27-28.
"Analyses that say the obstruction of government formation is linked to my return to the premiership are simply delusions and undisguised attempts to make me responsible for the obstruction,” Hariri wrote in a series of posts published on his official Twitter page on Tuesday.
He added, "My decisive decision is that [the premiership] is behind me, and that my resignation responded to people’s anger in order to open the way for a new phase.”
Politicians have failed to agree on a government or an economic rescue plan since protests pushed Hariri to quit as prime minister in October.
On October 29, Hariri submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun.
Under the constitution, Hariri’s cabinet would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab has vowed to form a government made up of "independent specialists,” who do not belong to political parties.
However, some observers are worried about efforts by foreign players to draw the country into chaos.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale visited Beirut last month, just as Diab assumed office.
A day earlier, Hariri said in tweet that Lebanon needs to quickly form a new government to stop a cycle of collapse and worsening economic and security conditions.
"The continuation of the caretaker government is not the solution so let’s stop wasting time and have the government bear the responsibility,” Hariri said.
Beirut has been rocked in recent days by some of the worst protests since the unrest began, with 370 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces on Saturday.
President Michel Aoun met security chiefs on Monday to work out a plan for deterring violent groups that "security services have detailed information on” while protecting property and peaceful protesters, sources at the meeting said.
Lebanon’s unrest is fueled in part by deep financial strains that have sunk the currency, pushed up prices and driven banks to impose capital controls.
Separately, a parliament session set to discuss and endorse the draft 2020 state budget was postponed until next week.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency said on Tuesday that legislators were initially scheduled to hold sessions on January 22-23, but it was postponed until January 27-28.