Blinken: Hariri's Resignation "Disappointing"

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Friday that Saad Hariri's resignation as Lebanon’s prime minister-designate was “disappointing.”

“It is critical that a government committed and able to implement priority reforms be formed now,”  Blinken said after Hariri abandoned his efforts to form a government nine months after accepting the challenge.

“Leaders in Beirut must urgently put aside partisan differences and form a government that serves the Lebanese people.”

Noteworthy,  Hariri stepped down Thursday, saying he was unable to form a government, as the country sinks deeper into crisis.