Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri affirmed on Saturday that he will not form a government "as desired" by President Michel Aoun, following more than seven months of governmental vacancy due to a severe political, financial, and economic crisis. Hariri was tasked in October with forming a new government after the resignation of the government headed by Hassan Diab, which followed the explosion at the Beirut port on August 4 that killed more than two hundred people, resulting from negligence in storing explosive materials.
However, sharp political disagreements that led to the collapse of Diab's government, along with each party's insistence on its share of power and influence, are obstructing the formation of the government. This is despite international pressures and failed French mediation aimed at pushing political parties to reach an agreement on a government formula.
For months, Hariri has exchanged accusations with the President and his political party regarding the disruption of the government formation. Hariri seeks a government composed of specialists, while "the Free Patriotic Movement" wants it to represent the existing political balance, noting that Aoun’s party has the largest parliamentary bloc in the House of Representatives.
Aoun sent a message to the Parliament regarding the delay in government formation, stating that Hariri has become unable to establish a rescue government, accusing him of "holding up the formation" in a clear attempt to pressure him into resigning.
During the parliamentary session to discuss Aoun's message on Saturday, Hariri reiterated his accusations against Aoun for obstructing the formation of the government. He stated, "I will not form the government as desired by the president's team, nor as desired by any specific political group. I will only form the government as wanted to stop the collapse and prevent the looming major crash threatening the Lebanese."
