Former prime ministers meet ahead of Monday’s consultations to choose a new premier

BEIRUT — Four of Lebanon’s five living former premiers met Sunday afternoon to discuss parliamentary consultations to designate a new prime minister, scheduled for tomorrow.

Here’s what we know:

    • Najib Mikati, Fuad Siniora, Saad Hariri and Tammam Salam met at Hariri’s Beit al-Wasat residence to plan for tomorrow’s consultations.

    • According to a brief statement from Hariri’s office, the four discussed “the latest political developments in the country, including the issue of binding parliamentary consultations for the appointment of a new prime minister” — but gave no further details.

    • Hariri stepped down as premier-designate 10 days ago following over eight months of contentious negotiations with President Michel Aoun over the form of a new government. Mustapha Adib, a diplomat, had previously tried and failed to form a government.

    • Tomorrow, parliamentary blocs will visit Aoun at the Presidential Palace to vote on the next prime minister; the person with a plurality of votes is designated to form a government.

    • Mikati, twice a former premier, is thought to be the favorite going into tomorrow’s consultations.

    • Lebanon has not had a fully functional government since Hassan Diab’s cabinet fell on Aug. 10, 2020, six days after the Beirut port explosion. The lack of a government has stymied any major reforms and international aid.

Update: Siniora, Hariri and Salam have endorsed Mikati to be named prime minister. Read the full story here.