Hariri Announces Resignation, Says 'May God Help the Country'

W460

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri on Thursday announced that he is quitting the government formation mission, following talks with President Michel Aoun in Baabda.

“I met with the President and we held consultations over the government. During the discussions, the President requested essential changes and we discussed the issue related to the vote of confidence and the issue of naming the two Christian ministers,” Hariri said after a 20-minute meeting.

“It is clear that the stance on this issue has not changed and it is clear that we will not agree with the President,” he added.

“I asked President Aoun if he needs more time to discuss the line-up but he answered that it seems that we won’t agree, that’s why I submitted to him my resignation and may God help the country,” Hariri went on to say.

Hariri had been nominated for the post in October 2020, as a long-running political and economic crisis intensified following a devastating port blast in Beirut in August that killed more than 200 people and forced the previous government to resign.

The development is likely to plunge the country further into chaos and uncertainty. Lebanon is going through an unprecedented economic crisis, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in the world in 150 years.

Hariri's move comes after weeks of a stalemate in renewed efforts to resolve the political deadlock and following a quick trip to Cairo, a close ally. In a meeting with Aoun on Wednesday, Hariri had proposed a new 24-minister Cabinet line-up and said he expected a response from Aoun by Thursday.

Hariri, 51, resigned from his post in October 2019 in a bow to nationwide protests which had demanded major reforms and condemned the entire political class. A year later, he was named once again to the post by parliament amid a crippling economic crisis and months after the massive explosion that compounded the country's woes.

Comments 20
Thumb gebran_sons 15 July 2021, 17:02

Aoun should be in asylum and Bassil in prison. Shame on Lebanese for letting these two premeditated criminals with their Faustian deal with HizbIran criminal organization still pushing Lebanon to Hell and beyond.

Default-user-icon george (Guest) 15 July 2021, 17:11

I am not a fan of either of the two. But the ignorance of the people amaze me.
Put the blame on these two and don't mention the others that have been in control for 30 years.
Nothing will change. the ignorance got the country where it is. Don't blame anyone but yourself.

Default-user-icon Leb_soul (Guest) 15 July 2021, 17:31

Putting the blame only on Aoun and Bassil is the main reason why the 2019 movement failed. Kelloun ya3ne kelloun w Hariri wahad mennoun.

Thumb doodle-dude 16 July 2021, 13:30

lol @ Always Iran

Thumb i.report 15 July 2021, 17:06

Let the sanctions begin!

Thumb justin 15 July 2021, 17:17

Buy 1 USD at 21,000 LBP
Sell 1 USD at 20,950 LBP
Updated 30 minutes ago

Thumb justin 15 July 2021, 17:34

رتفعت تسعيرة الدولار الى 21000-21100 ليرة لكل دولار، ليكون قد ارتفع بجوالي 1900 ليرة بخلال اقل من ساعة على اعلان الحريري اعتذاره عن تشكيل الحكومة اللبنانية !!

Thumb thepatriot 15 July 2021, 17:55

Hariri is not evil. He is incompetent but not evil.
I hope Aoun and Bassil get their load of sanctions from Europe.
Enough is enough!

Thumb Candice 15 July 2021, 18:14

He was not meant to be a politician.... but rather a lover.

Thumb LongLiveLebanon 15 July 2021, 18:20

The army must make a move and,take over until new elections can be organized, both parliamentary and presidential elections. It is the only solution.

Thumb i.report 15 July 2021, 18:39

Don’t make me laugh LLL. The LAF is completely corrupt, every single branch of it from foot soldier to general.

Default-user-icon Confused (Guest) 15 July 2021, 18:46

Good good. Let the Lebanese people keep waiting for a miracle instead of storming the palace and putting an end to this bs once and for all. At this point, I'm not really sure who's worse. The criminals in the govt or the morons waiting and watching.

Default-user-icon tric.Portugal (Guest) 15 July 2021, 19:39

thanks, Hariri !!A Cristhian the head of cabinet !!!

Default-user-icon ChristianLebanese (Guest) 15 July 2021, 21:47

I always said the Maronites were and still are the cancer of this country, and now Aoun and Basil, who both are not Christians in deeds but on a piece of paper, have proven my point. As a devout Christian, I wouldn't shed a tear if all the Maronites are thrown in a shithall because they deserve it and because they worship the devil and not Jesus.

Default-user-icon Always Leb (Guest) 15 July 2021, 22:40

He should be tried in International court.

Thumb doodle-dude 16 July 2021, 13:29

lol @Labwoush (Guest)

Thumb Spotter 16 July 2021, 13:43

One Always Shia Iranian Guest Spotted
Logged Tagged and Processed

Thumb ansarullah 16 July 2021, 01:40

Counvert or Diye!
Shia Shia Shia !!!

Thumb Spotter 16 July 2021, 10:51

A new variant Always Shia troll spotted
logged tagged and processed

Thumb Spotter 16 July 2021, 11:00

A new variant Always Shia troll spotted
logged tagged and processed