Following the election of Gen. Michel Aoun as president of the Lebanese Republic on Oct. 31 and the appointment of Saad Hariri as prime minister on Nov. 3, the two men will face numerous challenges, starting with forming a national government. Hariri is seeking to form his government before Independence Day on Nov. 22, but he is currently unable to meet the demands of some parliamentary blocs that seek key portfolios or service ministries.
On Nov. 8, Aoun’s Change and Reform parliamentary bloc called on politicians to facilitate the formation of a new government. Hariri's Future Movement parliamentary bloc urged political parties to keep their demands for ministries realistic to help Hariri form a new government.