Lebanon: for Michel Aoun, Saad Hariri must "immediately form a government or give way"
Lebanese President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace in Baabda, March 17, 2021. REUTERS - DALATI NOHRA
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Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri exposed their deep differences, the former urging Wednesday, March 17, the latter to form "immediately" a government or "to give way".
Meanwhile, the anger of the Lebanese is growing because of the worsening economic crisis and tension is mounting in the streets.
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With our correspondent in Beirut,
Paul Khalifeh
"
The sufferings of the citizens have reached a level that no people can bear
": in a speech of a few minutes addressed to the Lebanese on Wednesday March 17 in the evening, President Michel Aoun accused the Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri of having lost "
Precious time
" in the formation of
a new government
.
This has led the country into a "
dead end
", according to him.
Michel Aoun called on Saad Hariri to choose between two options: form "
immediately a government
" in agreement with him, or "
give way to another capable person
" to do so.
"To shorten the suffering of the Lebanese"
Saad Hariri's response was quick: he will go to the presidential palace to meet the head of state, probably this Thursday, March 18.
But he added that "
if the president is unable to sign the decree
" for the formation of a cabinet of non-partisan technocrats, then it will be necessary to "
shorten the suffering
" of the Lebanese and "
pave the way for an early presidential election.
".
This unfriendly exchange enshrines the divorce between the two men and removes the prospect of a rapid formation of a government.
Meanwhile, tension is mounting, with an armed clash that has left injured in Beirut,
amid road closures by angry protesters
.
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Lebanon
Saad Hariri
Michel Aoun
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