Report: ‘Serious’ Challenges Facing Lebanon Press Need for Govt. Lineup

Lebanese officials seem unaware of the crisis gripping the country as they continue to wrangle over ministerial portfolios, prolonging the delay in the government formation which touches six months on Wednesday.

An Nahar daily said that international obligations and the international community's obligations towards Lebanon require a legitimate and full-fledged authority.

The latest warning came from UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini, who told An-Nahar that "the country is facing multifaceted challenges. There is consensus that the government must be formed to revive the economy and restore confidence of investors.”

Lazzarini said Lebanon “is facing serious economic and social challenges. It hosts more than a million displaced people on its territory, adding to an economic slowdown, high unemployment and a 155% debt-to-GDP ratio. These factors have put a huge strain on the country's limited resources and infrastructure.”

He added: "In order to overcome this situation, Lebanon must carry out major long-awaited fiscal and sectoral reforms, as agreed at the CEDRE conference last spring. Today, we feel that the situation is very urgent and we recognize the need to implement the necessary policies to face these challenges.”

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was tasked with forming a government on May 24.

His mission has since been delayed because of disagreement between political parties over government shares and ministerial portfolios, mainly the Christian and Druze share, the latter was solved lately.