Lebanon forms government ending months of deadlock

Lebanon has formed a new government, ending months of deadlock that have left the country adrift as an economic crisis deepens.

Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister in October in response to mass protests over corruption and mismanagement.

The Hezbollah movement and its allies chose university professor Hassan Diab to replace him last month, but they could not agree the cabinet’s make-up.

Protests in Beirut
An anti-government protester waves a Lebanese national during continuous protests and clashes with police outside the Lebanese Parliament building in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 22 January 2020. EPA-EFE/WAEL HAMZEH

The matter became pressing after the protests recently took a violent turn.

More than 460 people were injured in clashes in Beirut over the weekend.

Speaking on Tuesday after President Michel Aoun signed off on the cabinet, Mr Diab called the new government “a rescue team” and said it would be “fast but not hasty in dealing with the economic situation”.

Read more via BBC/ Al Jazeera/ Reuters

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