BEIRUT: Lebanon’s political class was struggling to agree on a Sunni man to nominate as the future prime minister, before being forced to hold parliamentary consultations with President Michel Aoun on Thursday.
Parliamentary factions attempted to communicate with each other but failed to agree on a name.
Acting Premier Najib Mikati, backed by traditional parliamentary blocs, will head a four-month government by renaming him. Its term will end when Aun’s term ends in October and a new president will be elected. Meanwhile, many are discussing the nomination of former Ambassador and Judge of the International Court of Justice Nawaf Salam.
Hezbollah and its allies are seeking to establish a parliamentary majority for their political side and secure the vote of 65 lawmakers for their candidate, with the head of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc saying it must “understand the importance of resistance.”
Meanwhile, the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah’s Christian ally, refuses to designate Mikati and is setting up impossible conditions, such as requesting sovereign ministries, and most importantly, taking control of the Ministry of Energy.
Lebanese forces leader Samir Gege said party MPs would not nominate anyone “because the proposed candidate does not meet our criteria.”
Progressive Socialist Party and Kateb Party have decided to nominate Salam.
Takadom Party MP Mark Daw and MP Najat Saliba have voiced their decision to nominate Salam, while other independent and reformist lawmakers have refrained from announcing their decisions.
However, independent lawmaker Nabil Badr said he and 13 other lawmakers would nominate Mikati, increasing the latter’s chances with support received from Hezbollah lawmakers, the Amal Movement and others.
It remains uncertain whether Mikati will be able to form a government that is acceptable to the ruling parties within a short period of time, especially after some recent governments took a year to form.
This new political confusion wreaked havoc on the management of the country’s affairs. Bread ran out in bakeries and shops on Wednesday, with owners of mills and bakeries blaming the economy ministry.
Like petrol and medicine, Arab bread made from subsidized wheat is now being sold at very high prices in the black market.
On Wednesday, Economy Minister Amin Salam referred the issue to the Financial Public Prosecution, in which he referred to the “greeds of those who monopolize the people’s sustenance”.
The minister’s office said: “Some bakery owners sold subsidized flour for Arab bread for double the price on the black market. They have also been using it to make sweets, cakes and French breads, making double the profits. They are thus wasting public money.”
The governor of Lebanon’s central bank, Riyad Salameh, said in an interview that while he “accepted to lend to the Lebanese state, it was because there were laws that allowed it to borrow from the Banque du Liban, and depositors believed The money they put in banks was taken by BDL, and that is not true.”
He said: “Wrong political decisions have been taken which have led to the depreciation of the local currency. The people responsible are blaming BDL and me. I never imagined that some people would default or close the banks and turn the economy into a cash economy.” Will try to change
“The secret of BDL standing on its feet lies in our commitment not to implement any reckless policy and thus we were able to secure financing for the country. Without BDL, the government would not have been able to buy wheat and medicines. We created dollar-initiating plans for BDL, which allowed it to use its reserves to secure subsidies. We only used $2.2 billion from the end of 2021 to June 15. We still have $11 billion.”
Salameh stressed: “Lebanon needs between $15 billion and $20 billion to get back on its feet. The BDL did not delay providing dollars to importers of drugs for chronic diseases, including cancer drugs. . Subsidized drugs cut off and drugs sold for dollars are available. It’s not my job to go after these dealers.”
Speaking about Lebanon’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund, he said: “The amount of $3 billion from the IMF is not enough. Lebanon alone needs $400 million a month to protect diesel and gasoline, as well as secure In addition to $35 million for medicines, as well as $300 million annually to secure wheat, Lebanon needs the IMF to regain its trust.
He said: “The mafia is taking over the pharmaceutical, wheat and gasoline sectors, and the state feeds on the profits of the mafia. Some people are trying to blame the BDL, and I have faced such attempts. I name Can’t tell, but it is clear who these parties are.
Speaking about politicians transferring their money abroad, he said: “Banks provided us with information, not names, because they don’t have the right to name people, but we’re going to review the bank’s documents to see if it’s going to happen.” Can do whether these rules were done properly.
“Political pressure is being put on me by my political opponents, who tell some judges what they should do. Those who want my head say so publicly.”