Lebanon is currently facing significant international pressure to resolve the prolonged governmental formation crisis. Prime Minister designate Najib Mikati sent a glimmer of hope following his meeting with President Michel Aoun, stating, "God willing, it will be good." UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over Lebanon's deteriorating economic and social situation, urging "all political leaders to urgently form an effective national unity government."
He added that Lebanon urgently needs a government "to achieve justice and accountability, alleviate suffering... and lead an ambitious and effective reform path to restore access to essential services, achieve stability, support sustainable development, and inspire hope for a better future."
Furthermore, European Union High Representative Josep Borrell called on Aoun and the Lebanese political class to form a government as quickly as possible. In a message conveyed to the Lebanese president by EU Ambassador to Lebanon Ralph Tarraf, he demanded the rapid implementation of necessary measures and reforms to pull Lebanon out of its current crisis. Borrell announced, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, the "assistance that the EU has provided to Lebanon over the past years, following the Beirut port explosion," confirming that "discussions on providing another package of assistance could take place after the government is formed." He noted that "Lebanon is collapsing, and the risk of social unrest and instability is increasing," deeming it essential for the President and the Prime Minister designate to urgently agree on forming a government for the sake of the Lebanese people.
Meanwhile, President Aoun met with Mikati at the Baabda Palace to discuss the governmental formation process, and upon leaving, Mikati said, "God willing, it will be good."
In related news, the National News Agency in Lebanon reported that the judge leading the investigations into last summer’s port explosion issued a summons for caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab yesterday after he failed to attend questioning. Judge Tarek Bitar had issued summonses in July for Diab and other senior officials, including General Abbas Ibrahim, the director of general security, and several former ministers.
Additionally, the Lebanese army deployed forces in an area in the north of the country where two individuals were killed earlier this week due to violence over tree cutting disputes. Reports indicated that heavy automatic weapons and rocket projectiles were used in the violence between individuals from the villages of Akkar Al-Atyqa and Fneidq the day before yesterday. Calm prevailed yesterday.
