BEIRUT — Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian expressed fears Monday that “the obstruction of the formation of the government” could be a “prelude to an obstruction of the presidential election,” which would be a “great calamity,” the NNA quoted Derian as saying.
Here's what we know:
• According to the NNA, Derian said after his return from Mecca where he made the al-Haj Islamic pilgrimage that “the formation of government cannot wait any longer, as collapse and paralysis hit state institutions.” Derian also said that he fears “a social and security explosion if state officials, who have become unable to provide electricity, water, livelihoods, health care and medicine, do not address the situation.”
• The mufti blamed “those who place obstacles and conditions on the formation of a rescue cabinet” for the delay in its formation. Lebanon has been without a government since the cabinet assumed caretaker status in May following parliamentary elections. The mufti added, “Obstruction of government formation is probably an introduction to obstructing the presidential election, which would be a great calamity.”
• The constitutional deadline for the election of a successor to President Michel Aoun begins on Aug. 31, two months before the end of his term on Oct. 31. In the meantime, the process of forming the new government remains suspended, pending a new meeting between Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, who has been abroad since the Eid al-Adha holiday last week. Mikati submitted a government formation lineup on June 29, but the two have not met since.