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Postponed several times, parliamentary consultations for the formation of a new government are due to begin on Thursday, December 19. The resigning Prime Minister Saad Hariri assures that he is not a candidate for his own succession. In recent days, violence has marked the rallies in Beirut.
In Beirut, reinforced security measures have been visible since Wednesday, December 18, around the places where the protest that has been stirring the country for more than two months is taking place. In recent nights, violence has broken out in the Lebanese capital. Dozens of people were injured in scuffles , the protagonists of which varied.
Clashes have opposed protesters mobilized since October 17 and the police. Other clashes took place between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators generally identified as sympathizers of Shiite Hezbollah. in addition, clashes were reported between these counter-demonstrators and the police.
Government of Experts
It is in this context that parliamentary consultations to form a new team must begin this Thursday, December 19, following the resignation of the government under pressure from the street on October 29. These consultations were announced and postponed several times.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Wednesday that he was not a candidate for his own succession. He had said so in recent weeks, but the backstage negotiations had continued to revolve around his name. " I tried to respond to requests for a government of experts, which I see as the only solution to respond to the economic and social crisis that our country is facing, " said Saad Hariri.
Several names circulate
Despite Hariri's withdrawal, the date of the parliamentary consultations is maintained by the head of state, Michel Aoun, reports our correspondent in Beirut, Paul Khalifeh . Uncertainty therefore surrounds this binding constitutional meeting to choose a Prime Minister.
However, other names are starting to circulate, such as that of the deputy for Beirut, Fouad Makhzoumi. The businessman managed to snatch indirect support on Wednesday from the country's highest Sunni religious body. The name of the former Lebanese ambassador to the United Nations, Nawaf Salam, was also put forward by several deputies who had already announced their intention to propose his name. But Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, the two main Shiite parties, believe that this personality is too close to the United States.
According to the distribution of powers in Lebanon, the Prime Minister must be Sunni, the Christian President and the president of the Shiite Parliament. But it is this sectarian logic which has been rejected by the demonstrators since October 17 and this is what leads to the political deadlock.
The country sinks into the crisis
While the economic problems of Lebanon are the source of the anger that has lasted for two months, the country is sinking into the crisis . Dismissals, reduction of wages, closings of shops and restaurants, shortage of liquidity ... the signals are worrying. The World Bank forecasts a recession for 2019: at least -0.2%). Lebanese public debt peaks at more than $ 87 billion, or 150% of GDP, one of the highest rates in the world. The fears of a default are becoming more and more acute.
A meeting of the International Support Group in Lebanon took place in Paris on December 11 last. The United States, Russia, China, several European countries including France and Arab countries were represented. With the arrival of a clear message addressed to the Lebanese authorities: the situation is serious and all financial aid is conditional on the establishment of an " effective and credible " government, and on " emergency " reforms.