On July 14, 2021, Saad Hariri, who was in charge of forming the government, met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri during his official visit to Cairo, Egypt. (Photo: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Lebanese politician Saad Hariri gave up efforts to form a new government on Thursday, saying that it was clear that he could not reach an agreement with President Michel Aoun, putting the country into a deeper crisis.
Lebanon is suffering from what the World Bank calls one of the worst economic depressions in modern history. Its currency has depreciated by more than 90% in less than two years, leading to increased poverty and severe shortages.
Hariri said:
Obviously, we will not be able to agree with His Excellency the President.
“That’s why I was exempt from forming a government.”
Since this position must be held by Sunni Muslims in the Lebanese sectarian system, there is no obvious alternative, so there is little hope that the government will begin to resolve the economic situation.
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Hariri said Aoun requested a fundamental change to the cabinet lineup he submitted to him on Wednesday. Hariri said that Aoun told Hariri that they could not agree.
The president did not immediately comment.
After the bombing of Beirut port on August 4, after Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned, Hariri was appointed to form a new government in October. Diab continued to hold the position of caretaker.
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