Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Hariri Asked to Work in Caretaker Role


Wed 30 Oct 2019 | 02:55 PM
Ahmad El-Assasy

Lebanese presidential sources reported a consensus to reassign resigned Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to head the government, according to Al-Arabiya.

Michel Aoun asked the government to continue working in caretaker role until forming a new cabinet, said AFP.

He said the measure followed the constitutional provision for cases in which the government steps down.

Hariri resigned from the premiership to President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace, after reaching what he called a dead end.

“I spare no effort to stop deterioration in the country and to find a solution to meet people’s demands and protect Lebanon from the security and economic risks,” Hariri said during a press conference.

“I have reached a deadlock. A solution to the current crises has to be found. Hence, I will head to Baabda Presidential Palace to submit the resignation of the Lebanese government to President Michel Aoun,” he added.

He also called up all Lebanese to put the country’s interest above anything else. Hariri urged all the political powers in the country to protect Lebanon and prevent “disturbance.” Hariri's resignation came on the 13th day of popular protests across Lebanon.

“My resignation will be at the disposal of the president and the Lebanese. What matters here is the safety and security of the state,” the PM Minister concluded.

Beirut and several areas have witnessed since October 17 a popular movement, in the form of demonstrations unprecedented for years, to reject the government’s approach to the adoption of new taxes on citizens, at a time when these citizens can no longer afford the cost of living, unemployment and poor public services.