LEBANESE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SUGGESTS A PROPOSAL TO RESOLVE THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK
Nabih Berri, Lebanese Parliament Speaker suggested a cabinet size of 22 or 24, an increase from Hariri’s original of 18 independent technocrat ministers, a proposal to resolve the political issue regarding the government formation process between President Micheal Aoun and Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri.
He suggested increase in seats is to accommodate Aoun’s demands of adding representatives from political parties to the cabinet, a demand that Hariri has refused to accept over the past six months.
Experiencing one of the worst economic crisis, Lebanon is going through a turmoil. Much is predominantly caused by decades of corruption and mismanagement due to Lebanon’s sectarian system.
The crisis worsened with the massive explosion at the Port of Beirut last August, which left 300,000 displaced, over 2,000 injured and at least 200 dead.
The international community has called on the Lebanese political class to set aside sectarian and political divides and facilitate the formation of an independent government capable of conducting the reforms required to unlock badly needed aid.
