Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced Thursday after he was tasked with forming a new Cabinet that his government would abide by Lebanon's declared policy of distancing itself from regional conflicts.
“I will embark on the mission of forming the government, knowing that all the influential blocs have agreed on the need to form a national unity government as soon as possible in light of the pressing financial and external situations,” Hariri said in an address to the nation after his designation.
“The new government is asked to consolidate stability, strengthen state institutions, revive the economy, create jobs and carry on with the course that was launched with the formation of the outgoing government,” the PM-designate added, calling on the new government to “capitalize on the previous government's many achievements.”
He added: “The government will achieve a series of reforms and it is also asked to abide by the dissociation policy and preserve good ties with the Arab brothers.”
And noting that his hand is extended to “all political components,” Hariri said he will spare no effort to form a government “as soon as possible” in order to “protect Lebanon's stability according to the principles of the Taef Accord, the Constitution and Lebanon's democratic system.”
Hariri's designation comes less than three weeks after elections that saw his movement lose ground in parliament.
Hariri has been prime minister since December 2016 and served his first term from 2009 to 2011.
His appointment comes amid a struggling economy, rising tensions in the Middle East and a new wave of sanctions against Hizbullah.
Asked if there is a veto on Hizbullah's participation in the new Cabinet, Hariri said, "I only heard that from the Lebanese media. This is the first time I hear it."
Hariri added: "I am open to all elements and never closed the door in front of anyone."
Hizbullah, which has 13 seats in the 128-member legislature, did not name its own candidate for the premiership as it has done in the past — signaling it will likely go along with Hariri's re-appointment despite tense relations between the Iran-allied Shiite group and the Western-backed Hariri.
"We have confirmed our readiness to take part in the next government and to deal positively with whomever is named by the majority," Mohammed Raad, who heads Hizbullah's bloc in parliament, said after meeting President Michel Aoun.
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