US intervention root cause of crisis in Lebanon: Hezbollah parliamentary bloc

The parliamentary bloc of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says US intervention in the Lebanon is the root cause of the ongoing political crisis in the West Asian country.

The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc at the Lebanon parliament made the remarks in a televised statement released on Thursday, saying, “We condemn US intervention in Lebanon, which is the root cause of the current chaos.”

The statement then touched on the resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri after a spate of street protests engulfed the capital Beirut, saying that his resignation wasted the time needed to implement the package of reforms, widely seen as fundamental to steer the cash-strapped Arab country out of an economic collapse.

The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc further stated that Hariri’s decision to step down also wasted the time required in order to approve the 2020 state budget.

PressTV-Lebanon army urges protesters to unblock roads

The army asks the demonstrators to open the roads and allow life in crisis-ridden Lebanon to be restored to normal.

“We hope that binding parliamentary consultations will follow their normal course in a bid to form a government. We call on the security services and the army to carry out all their responsibilities to ensure the security of citizens, and not to leave them unprotected,” the statement added.

Hezbollah's parliamentary wing then called on the governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank, Riad Salameh, to take practical measures to prevent an economic collapse.

Hariri’s resignation was 'no secret' to Lebanon political parties

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Joumhouria daily newspaper, citing unnamed sources close to Hariri, reported on Thursday that all political parties in the country were aware of his decision, which was being deliberated.

“It (the decision) was made in Lebanon. There was no need to act surprisingly,” the sources said.

PressTV-Lebanon’s Hariri submits resignation amid protests

PM Hariri of Lebanon submits his resignation amid mass protests against economic woes.

They noted that Hariri did not insist on staying in power, “but he would not hesitate to assume responsibility if re-appointed prime minister.”

France urges Lebanese authorities to accelerate govt. formation

Separately, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urged Lebanese officials to expedite the formation of the government.

“Following the resignation of PM Saad Hariri, it is essential for the future of Lebanon to accelerate the formation of a government that can proceed with the necessary reforms the country needs,” Le Drian said in a statement released on Thursday.

He added that the Lebanese citizens’ right for peaceful demonstrations must be preserved.

Hariri submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun on Tuesday.

Under the constitution, Hariri’s cabinet would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.

For thirteen days, Lebanese from across the country's sectarian and political divides had been pouring onto the streets and blocking major roads to call for the resignation of the government ,and for the ruling elite to be held accountable for decades of corruption.

The protests began on October 17 when the government proposed imposing a tax on Whatsapp calls, along with other austerity measures.

Salameh on Monday dismissed reports that Lebanon’s economy will collapse in a matter of days in the wake of anti-government protests.

“I am not saying that we are going to have a collapse in a matter of days. I am saying we need to have a solution in a matter of days to regain confidence and avoid collapse in the future,” Salameh said in an interview with CNN television news network.

The senior Lebanese monetary figure underlined that a “solution” to the crisis is needed within days in order to restore confidence and avoid a collapse.

Growth in Lebanon has plummeted in the wake of endless political deadlocks and an economic crisis in recent years.

PressTV-Protesters form human chain across Lebanon

The Lebanese people have forms a nationwide human chain to show solidarity with protests against economic problems.

The country hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and their presence is often blamed for putting pressure on the already struggling economy.

Unemployment stands at more than 20 percent, according to official figures.

The Lebanese Finance Ministry says the national debt is hovering around $85 billion, which accounts for more than 150 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Successive governments have failed to address a waste management crisis or improve the electricity grid, which is plagued by daily power cuts.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk