May Allah help this country, say Hariri’s resignation in Lebanon

The previous government had resigned after the horrific explosions in Beirut in August. 200 people were killed in this accident.

Since that time Lebanon has been suffering from severe economic recession and now the situation has become even worse.

The currency of Lebanon has completely disintegrated and its value has become a penny, due to which inflation has increased so much that people are hardly able to buy food for themselves. Along with this, the supply of fuel, electricity and medicine is also decreasing.

The World Bank has blamed Lebanese politicians for the current situation in Lebanon that they did not agree to the way forward.

Other countries have refused aid to Lebanon until a new government is formed that can implement reforms and tackle corruption.

Saad Hariri was nominated by members of parliament to form a new government last October. Within a year, he left his post amid anti-government protests due to the economic crisis.

The pro-Western Sunni Muslim politician promised that he would soon form a cabinet of technocrats or non-partisan experts and implement reforms.

But President Michael Eoin, a Christian ally of the Iran-backed extremist Shia Hezbollah movement, rejected several of Hariri’s proposals.

Hariri has accused the president and his party of gaining veto power for their allies by setting appointments. On the other hand, the President and his party Hariri are also facing the same allegations.

On Wednesday, he submitted a new list of 24 technocratic ministers.

But he told reporters after a short meeting on Thursday that the president had requested a “fundamental” change, which he could not accept.

He said he had sought more time for the president to reconsider, but added that “it is clear that we will not be able to reach an agreement.”

Hariri said, “That’s why I have distanced myself from forming the government. May Allah help this country.”

In a statement, Eoin said, “If all avenues of dialogue are closed, then what is the use of taking another day.”

He said he would soon set a day for consultations to determine a new name for Hariri.

Under Lebanon’s religious power-sharing system, the prime minister must be a Sunni, the president a Christian, and the parliament speaker a Shia.

The news agency AP quoted political affairs expert Nabil Bou Monsef of the An-Nahar newspaper as saying that Hariri’s resignation has further aggravated the crisis in Lebanon.

He says that at such a time it will be very difficult to choose any new name for the post of Prime Minister.

He says that looking at the current situation, it seems that we may not be able to form the government or find an alternative to Saad Hariri.

Monseff says that the removal of Hariri may be seen by President Michael Eoin as his victory, but in reality he has put the whole country in trouble.

Despite regional and international mediation, the standoff between Hariri and Eoin could not be ended.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said during a visit to Lebanon last month that the main reason for the fight between political leaders is the power struggle and mistrust at the centre.

However, it is not yet clear who can replace Hariri, one of Lebanon’s most powerful Sunni Muslim leaders.

According to Lebanon’s community-based political system, the prime minister is elected from the ranks of Sunnis.

Hariri has previously served as prime minister twice. For the first time from 2009-2011. Second time in 2016. When he came into partnership with Eoin, Hariri supported Eoin for president.