UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) – UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern about the socio-economic situation in Lebanon and called on all “political leaders to urgently form an effective government of national unity,” his spokesman said.
This is needed to “bring immediate relief, justice and accountability ... and drive an ambitious and meaningful course for reform to restore access to basic services, restore stability, promote sustainable development and inspire hope for a better future,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.
A two-year-long financial meltdown hit a crunch point in Lebanon this month as fuel shortages paralyzed much of the country, sparking chaos and numerous security incidents.
The European Union also expressed concern at the deterioration of the crisis in Lebanon, its ambassador to Beirut said on Thursday, telling Lebanese leaders the time for action had run out and urging them to form a government.
In another development in the country, the lead investigator into Beirut’s huge port blast has issued a subpoena for caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab after he failed to show up for questioning.
Lebanon’s news agencies said on Thursday that Judge Tareq Bitar had issued requests in July to question Diab but after the caretaker premier failed to attend the main courthouse, Bitar chose to subpoena him for interrogation on September 20.
A judicial source told Reuters that should Diab fail to attend the session next month, the judge would have the right to issue an arrest warrant.
Bitar has previously summoned four former ministers — three of whom are lawmakers — but parliament has refused to lift their immunity so they can appear before him.
The August 2020 explosion killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands and flattened several neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital.
The massive blast was caused by the ignition of tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, stored in a port warehouse filled with other hazardous material since 2014.
Beirut explosion has left Lebanon’s economy, which is already reeling from multiple crises, including the breakdown of its banking system, spiraling inflation and the coronavirus pandemic, in tatters.