(December 22, 2019 / JNS) Lebanon’s new Hezbollah-backed Sunni prime minister held talks on Saturday with the country’s parliamentary blocs with the aim of forming a government, the AP reported.
Hassan Diab, a university professor and former education minister, faces an economic crisis and nationwide protests against the ruling elite.
Diab said during the talks that he wants to form a government made up of independents and technocrats, adding that “all parties agree with me regarding a government made up of independents and experts, including Hezbollah,” according to the report.
“Lebanon is in the intensive care unit and needs efforts” by all sides, he added.
The new prime minister received the support of a majority of lawmakers, including from Hezbollah and its allies, which hold a majority, the report noted.
However key Sunni figures have not shown support for Diab, including the largest Sunni party, led by Diab’s predecessor Saad Hariri.
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Content retrieved from: https://www.jns.org/lebanons-hezbollah-backed-prime-minister-seeks-to-form-government/.