Hariri steps down as prime minister-designate after dispute with president
Lebanon has been without a government for nearly a year as the economic crisis in the country worsens.
Saad Hariri stepped down from his post as Lebanon's prime minister-designate on Thursday, thus plunging the country further into political crisis.
Hariri withdrew his nomination following a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, according to the official National News Agency. Hariri said the two politicians reached an impasse on the government formation.
“I suggested more time, but the president saw that there was no room for agreement between us, so I apologized for not forming a government,” said Hariri. “May God help the country.”
The Lebanese governmental Cabinet led by Hassan Diab resigned en masse last August following the Beirut port explosion. Hariri, who previously served as prime minister from 2016 to 2020, was tapped to form a new government in October. He was unable to do so, and Diab remains as caretaker prime minister.
