The president tasked with forming the government, Saad Hariri, confirmed that he will not agree under any circumstances to form a government that he does not believe in, one resembling previous governments, including the current one, which have all failed to achieve the necessary reforms to transition Lebanon from a state of economic and financial crisis to recovery on all fronts.
According to a source in the "Future Movement" speaking to "Asharq Al-Awsat," Hariri stated that there is no room for discussions on expanding the government and emphasized the need for a government composed of independent and specialized ministers who are not affiliated with political parties, in order to regain the trust of the Lebanese people and, through them, the international community. Hariri reiterated his insistence on forming a government of 18 ministers, rejecting any increase to 20, 22, or 24 ministers. At the same time, he pointed out that the French initiative remains in place as the only way to save Lebanon, provided that the specifications and conditions set by President Emmanuel Macron are adhered to.
Hariri, as cited by the sources, noted that "what we have recently heard does not lead to a solution to the problem or constitute a project to open the door for transitioning the country from crisis to relief; rather, it complicates us further with unnecessary problems, thus wasting the available opportunity to stop the collapse." He linked the resumption of communication with President Michel Aoun to the current climate changing in favor of a solution to expedite the formation of the government, emphasizing that "the country, with the accumulation of crises, can no longer afford to squander the opportunity available to us to save it, especially in light of the international community's renewed interest in Lebanon, which was evident in the solidarity campaigns immediately following the explosion that targeted the Port of Beirut."
Hariri, according to the source, expressed his satisfaction with the results of his tour of several countries, particularly regarding the restoration of Lebanon's relations with several Arab nations and preparations for the phase following the formation of the government.
