Lebanon's PM-designate vows reforms in crisis-hit Arab country

Lebanon's newly-designated prime minister Mustapha Adib has vowed to swiftly launch a reformist government to address the acute economic and political crisis in the country, which were worsened following a massive Beirut blast earlier this month.

In a televised speech after his nomination, Adib said on Monday there "was no time for words, promises and wishes," pledging instead to enact swift reforms long demanded by the Lebanese people. 

There is "a need to form a government in record time and to begin implementing reforms immediately, starting with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund." 

Lebanon earlier this year planned to seek International Monetary Fund aid after approving an economic rescue plan setting out vast losses in its financial system. Many are skeptic that the IMF conditions will only make things worse.

A relatively unknown 48-year-old diplomat, Adib, is a close aide to former premier Najib Mikati. He had also served as Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany since 2013.

His appointment was confirmed on Monday by President Michel Aoun, after he received the support of a majority of members of Lebanon’s parliament to succeed Hassan Diab, who resigned as prime minister following Beirut’s blast. 

Lebanon president names Mustapha Adib as new prime minister

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has named the country

Under a power-sharing agreement that ended the 1975-1990 civil war in Lebanon, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim. 

Adib was also spotted on Monday touring the Gemmayzeh neighborhood, which was hard hit by an August 4 Beirut explosion. The PM-designate met with volunteers spearheading relief efforts, telling them he wanted the state to work with them in rebuilding Beirut. 

Diab’s government resigned after the devastating explosion at a port in Beirut that killed at least 188 people and wounded thousands.

The blast took place amid public anger over the ruling elite’s mismanagement of an economic crisis. The Lebanese pound has continued to plummet against the US dollar, losing more than 60 percent of its value over the last weeks while sources of foreign currency have dried up. 

UN says over half of Lebanon’s population risk facing food crisis following colossal blast

The UN says food crisis is threatening more than half of Lebanon’s population in the aftermath of a gigantic explosion.

Observers say American sanctions on Lebanon have deteriorated its already struggling economy. 

Lebanon started IMF talks in May, but they have since hit a wall due to external interference.

French President Emmanuel Macron is due to return to Lebanon, after his previous visit to the country that followed the blast and sparked outrage among the Lebanese.  

Macron, whose country witnessed months-long and nationwide anti-government protests by Yellow Vests over economic injustice in 2018 and 2019, used a provocative colonial tone in his visit, calling for political and economic reforms in Lebanon.

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