Mikati stresses need to form govt. before presidential election

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati stressed Friday the need to speed up the government formation, before President Michel Aoun's term comes to an end.

"The tight timeline and the upcoming junctures require us to take proactive steps and to form a new government quickly, before the presidential election," Mikati said in a statement.

He urged the Lebanese for national unity to face the collapse, along with "the government's intensive efforts to put the country on the path of economic, financial and social recovery."

Mikati said the caretaker government is still "cooperatively and positively" working, in collaboration with the Parliament, in order to approve the budget draft law and other reform projects that are required for a final agreement with the International Monetary Fund.