Mufti clings to Hariri .. Aoun pledges to fight corruption and an international conference in France to help Lebanon

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that he will continue to work to eradicate the "malicious germ of corruption." While the protests continued to demand the formation of a technocrat government, the Mufti of the Republic confirmed his support for the appointment of Hariri again to head the government, and France announced that it will host an international conference to help Lebanon tomorrow.

Today, Monday, the Lebanese president stressed his intention to fight corruption "and the minds and practices of many people in various sectors, locations and classes."

In a statement to him on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, Aoun added that he wanted for integrity in Lebanon to become an approach and culture for young and old, and a way of life.

Aoun had postponed last night binding parliamentary consultations, which were scheduled to start today to agree on a figure to form the next government.

According to the new decision, parliamentary consultations will start on December 16.

The postponement decision came at the request of most of the parliamentary blocs, after businessman Samir al-Khatib apologized for his candidacy for the post of prime minister.

For its part, Dar Al-Fatwa announced its support for Hariri's return to the premiership.

On Monday, Al-Khatib said that the Mufti of the Republic "is a supporter of President Saad Hariri who is making efforts to advance Lebanon, and I learned that - as a result of meetings, consultations and contacts - it was agreed to designate Prime Minister Hariri to form the government."

In the same context, France announced that it will host, tomorrow, Wednesday, an international conference to establish an effective and credible government in Lebanon.

Aoun received the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jan Kubitsch, and presented with him the preparations for the International Support Group for Lebanon conference.

Aoun told the UN coordinator that Lebanon will attend the meeting with an official delegation, hoping that it will produce practical results, "especially in the delicate economic conditions that the country is going through."

The protests are continuing
For the 54th day in a row, popular protests are continuing in Lebanon, calling for the formation of a government that is far from political quotas, fighting corruption, improving services, and providing job opportunities.

In the capital, Beirut, the security forces deployed extensively in most of the main streets, while schools and educational institutes opened their doors to students, and banks began operating normally.

In the northern capital, Tripoli, protesters cut most of the main and branch roads in light of the proliferation of army elements seeking to negotiate with the protesters to reopen them.

Most schools and universities in Tripoli abided by the decision to call a strike by activists in the city.

In Akkar (far north), protesters cut a number of main and sub roads, and public and private schools closed their doors to students.

Protesters cut a number of main roads in West Bekaa, but educational institutions opened their doors to students.