Lebanese Speaker Urges Government Formation This Week

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged the country's top politicians on Tuesday to form a government "this week, not later." In a televised speech, Berri called for "setting aside all disagreements" to save the country from economic collapse. Lebanon is suffering from a severe economic crisis and has been run by a caretaker government since the resignation of the government over a year ago. Last year, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati stated that there were significant obstacles ahead. Mikati is the third figure to be tasked with forming the government. In his remarks on Tuesday, Berri emphasized that political factions should not obstruct government formation by demanding minority veto powers in the new cabinet. President Michel Aoun denied allegations that he was requesting a third of the ministerial portfolios for his allies, which would allow them to block government decisions.