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Prime Minister Hassan Diab (left) has promised to form a government of "specialists" while Sunnis demand the return of Saad Hariri (right). AFP

In Lebanon, Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab has given himself six weeks to form a government of "specialists". This academic, little known to the general public, was appointed with the voices of Hezbollah and its Shiite and Christian allies, but remains shunned by Sunni notables.

From our correspondent in Beirut, Laure Stephan

Hassan Diab leaves with a major handicap: the absence of a broad consensus. To succeed in setting up a cabinet, he will have to convince the protest movement, but also the political forces, as well as the Sunni community.

" A government completely independent of political parties "

In the center of Beirut, the crowd is minimal on the places of the revolt, this Friday evening. An independent party holds a conference in reaction to the appointment of Hassan Diab. The Prime Minister designate asked the street to " give him a chance ".

" We do not want the Prime Minister to have belonged to a government in the past, because if he has already had a position in the past, that means that he participated in many frauds with this government. People say "let's see what he does, we'll judge on the basis of evidence". Personally, I don't believe in it, and I'm going to stay on the street until we have a government completely independent of the political parties that have already been in power, ”shows doubting Fayrouz, an actress.

Supporters of Hariri refuse Hassan Diab

In Corniche el Mazraa, a Sunni stronghold, the road is cut by supporters of Saad Hariri who refuse the appointment of Hassan Diab . The security forces are massively deployed. The atmosphere is vindictive and the tone is also denominational.

“ We want Sheikh Saad. We want the Sunni religious authority to designate the Prime Minister. It is not for Hezbollah, nor for President Michel Aoun to choose it. Sunnis are a community that counts. We don't know Hassan Diab. He suddenly appeared and became Prime Minister. We refuse that, "claims Leila, who is wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Saad Hariri .

In the evening, the demonstration turned to a confrontation between supporters and security forces.