UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai held a phone call following the critical meeting between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, during which the UN envoy stressed the importance of keeping Lebanon away from all conflicts.
“The Lebanese are waiting for the UN to play a leading role, amid the current ailing situation at all levels,” Rai told Guterres.
For his part, Guterres expressed concern over the Lebanese situation, highlighting the necessity to form a government.
Meanwhile, Aoun met with a number of diplomats and politicians to explain his stances regarding what happened at the government formation level, Free Patriotic Movement sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“The President is contacting concerned officials to inform them of the new developments,” the sources said.
Last Monday, Hariri publicly repudiated Aoun, saying the latter wanted to dictate cabinet membership and grant veto powers on policy to his political allies.
Lebanon has been without a government since shortly after the Aug. 4 chemical explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut.
Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Officer in Charge of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) called Tuesday on Lebanon’s political leaders to focus most urgently on the formation of an empowered government, as a critical step to address the country’s multiple and serious crises and implement required reforms.
“This step must be taken and can no longer be delayed,” she said.
With the socio-economic crisis deepening, the financial situation plummeting and the people entering poverty and food insecurity, Rochdi called on Lebanese leaders to set aside their differences, step up to their responsibilities, end the paralysis, listen to the now desperate calls of the Lebanese, and finally offer solutions to the people of Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Aoun discussed Tuesday with French Ambassador Anne Grillo the governmental crisis and he explained the problems that accompany the stages of forming it.
For his part, Hariri sat down with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Lebanon, Abdel Aal Al-Qinai, and the two men discussed the most recent political developments and the current situation.
Hariri’s Mustaqbal Movement continues to hold the President and his team responsible for the political crisis in Lebanon.
