Until his official resignation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif submitted to Prime Minister Hassan Diab in the Grand Serail in Beirut, in protest at what he described as the absence of an actual will to achieve the reforms that the Lebanese and the international community are demanding.
He also indicated that this decision comes due to the inability to perform his duties in these circumstances, which he described as crucial, and the absence of a vision for Lebanon as a free, independent and effective homeland.
He even expressed his fears that Lebanon was on the way to becoming a failed state.
The minister said that "Lebanon today is not the Lebanon that we loved and wanted it as a beacon and a model." He warned that "Lebanon today is slipping into a failed state."
He even stressed that what is required in the state building process are creative minds, a clear vision, sincere intentions, a culture of institutions and the rule of the rule of law, accountability and transparency.
It is noteworthy that Lebanon is witnessing the worst economic collapse in its recent history, especially with the lira losing more than 80% of its value against the dollar, which has eroded purchasing power.
The country’s talks with the International Monetary Fund faltered in the absence of reforms and amid disputes between the government and banks over the scope of financial losses in Lebanon.
Crisis and inaction
In this context, Human Rights Watch said that the Lebanese authorities are failing to address the severe economic and political crisis that threatens the basic rights of the population.
In the context of a report to the Human Rights Council before the universal periodic review of the human rights situation in Lebanon, the organization pointed out that the Lebanese people are deprived daily of their basic rights, while politicians quarrel about the size of the financial losses in the country, and hinder the reform efforts.
The organization also called on the Lebanese authorities to commit to implementing the difficult reforms that would return the country's economy to the right path and ensure citizens' access to health care and education.
The report of the organization also referred to the use of excessive force against demonstrators in Lebanon, and an increase in the pursuit of people for exercising their right to freedom of expression.