In Lebanon, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced Thursday (October 8th) that he was a candidate to lead a new government.

"I am clearly a candidate," Saad Hariri said in an interview with Lebanese MTV television, "I will not close the door on the only hope that remains for Lebanon to recover".

French President Emmanuel Macron last month called on Lebanese politicians to quickly put in place a new government, but so far efforts have not succeeded.

The country is facing its worst economic crisis in decades and has yet to recover from the awe-inspiring explosion that devastated the port of Beirut on August 4, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people, thousands of injured and enormous damage in the capital.

President Michel Aoun is due to consult Parliament within a week before appointing the new head of government.

Saad Hariri, for his part, said he was ready to start discussions with the various political parties as of next week, "if all are still in agreement on the program" discussed with Emmanuel Macron.

Set aside disputes

The former Prime Minister was forced to resign last fall by major demonstrations calling for a deep renewal of the national political class, accused of being incompetent and corrupt.

The next government, led by Hassan Diab, resigned after the explosion.

His successor, Mustapha Adib, also resigned last month, just weeks after his appointment, faced with blockages from the two main Shiite parties, Hezbollah and Amal, in his attempts to form a new government.

In a multi-faith Lebanon with a delicate political balance, the formation of a new government can take several months of negotiations.

But according to Saad Hariri, the entire political class has come to an understanding with Emmanuel Macron, who has visited Beirut twice since the explosion, in order to put aside their differences for six months and save the country from 'a disaster.

"Anyone can create problems when forming a government, but if the parties really want to stop the collapse and rebuild Beirut, they must follow the French initiative," said Saad Hariri.

With AFP

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