Lebanon Corona aggravates economic crisis Ministers resign in response to government response August 4, 4:58
In Lebanon, in the Middle East, where the economic crisis will worsen due to the new coronavirus, cabinet ministers will resign in response to the government's response, and there is concern that political turmoil will spread in the future.
Since last fall in Lebanon, a large number of large-scale protests against the government have taken place, and the spread of the new coronavirus has seriously damaged the economy, resulting in a de facto default = default in March. In addition, the real value of the Lebanese currency, the pound, has continued to decline, and food prices have skyrocketed.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hitti revealed that he has resigned on the 3rd and said, "Lebanon is falling into a failed state. I want the government to reconsider to implement a policy that puts citizens and the state first." And issued a statement criticizing the government's response.
The Lebanese government is in talks with the IMF = International Monetary Fund and France, the former colonial power, in order to obtain economic support, but the Lebanese side has repelled the request for drastic economic reform shown as a condition, and negotiations were difficult. It is reported that Mr. Hitti resigned in protest of the delay in economic reform.
Mr. Diab has appointed Mr. Hitti's successor to collect the situation, but this time, there is a concern that political turmoil will spread in the future, as the conflict of opinion within the administration over the response was exposed. I will.