Lebanon gains a new government, after more than a year of waiting
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati addresses the press after meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, September 10, 2021. REUTERS - MOHAMED AZAKIR
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Thirteen months after the resignation of the Cabinet of Hassan Diab, Lebanon has this Friday September 10 of a new government chaired by the Sunni politician and businessman Najib Mikati.
It is made up of 24 ministers, divided equally between Christians and Muslims.
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With our correspondent in Beirut,
Paul Khalifeh
Forty-five days after his appointment, Najib Mikati succeeded where Saad Hariri failed and, before him, Ambassador Moustapha Adib.
The businessman and Member of Parliament for Tripoli succeeded in overcoming one by one all the obstacles which hindered the formation of the government and which on several occasions failed to block the process.
The arduous negotiations stumbled over the sharing of portfolios, the choice of ministers and, finally, on this famous blocking third party which allows whoever holds it to exercise decisive influence within the executive.
President Michel Aoun was suspected by his detractors of wanting to obtain a third of the portfolios.
Finally, in the Mikati Cabinet no party alone has this blocking minority, according to the Prime Minister.
The new government inherits a bloodless country, hit by one of the worst economic crises in the world in 170 years, victim of shortages of fuel, medicines and certain foodstuffs and on the brink of total chaos.
Its immediate task will be to slow down the inexorable generalized collapse, to find urgent solutions to replenish the hydrocarbon market, to improve the daily life of millions of Lebanese, which has deteriorated considerably.
In the longer term, the Cabinet is called upon to launch the reforms expected by the international community to unlock financial aid, but also to start negotiations with the IMF.
► Read also: Lebanon on the brink of a double water and food crisis
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