Lebanese President Michel Aoun delivering a broadcast speech to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24, 2021. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — President Michel Aoun on Monday indicated that he is working for the formation of a new government before his mandate ends on Oct. 31.
Here’s what we know:
• According to the Aoun’s media office, the president said amid tensions between him and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati that “while I seek to form a government before the end of my mandate, some maintain their accusations that I do not want the formation of a new cabinet.”
• Responding to a question addressed to him during a visit by a delegation from the audiovisual sector in Lebanon about foreign countries’ stance regarding government formation, Aoun said that “foreign powers are talking positively about government formation.” He added, “There are undoubtedly obstacles that persist, but the efforts have not stopped. The talks are still ongoing.” Aoun however warned against “double-faced attitudes” in relation to the cabinet formation process. Mikati has visited Baabda twice in the past two weeks, but talks between the two have so far led to no tangible progress on government formation.
• Earlier Monday, Mikati went to Ain al-Tineh, where he was received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Taymour Joumblatt, leader of the parliamentary group of the Progressive Socialist Party, was also received by Berri on Monday.
• For his part, the leader of Hezbollah’s parliamentary group Mohammad Raad said Monday that a “country cannot know stability without a government,” adding, “This is not the time for whims … we are not concerned with those who come and those who leave. Bail out this government so that it has full power,.”