Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that Saad Hariri’s assignment to form the new government stems from the decision of the legislative authority, and is outside the will of the President of the Republic.
Berri added that President Michel Aoun has no right to refuse Hariri’s presidency.
In a statement, Berri accused the President of the Republic of being the only one who rejects the Speaker’s initiative to facilitate the formation of the government, which was agreed upon by all parties, according to the statement.
Berri’s words came in response to Aoun’s statement issued yesterday, in which he called on the references that help in forming the government to rely on a constitutional mechanism that stipulates the formation of the government by agreement between the President of the Republic and the designated Prime Minister.
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Unprecedented threat
Aker holds the position of “acting” foreign minister, after her predecessor, Charbel Wahba, was relieved of his duties following a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia. Her words came during the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers held in the Qatari capital, Doha.
In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aker also holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in the caretaker government.
Aker stated that “the challenges that Lebanon faces today constitute an unprecedented threat to its existence and entity,” adding, “No one guarantees what the state will look like in the event of a comprehensive collapse and its consequences at all levels.”
Lebanon has been suffering from a severe economic crisis for more than a year and a half, which has led to financial deterioration and the loss of basic materials and commodities such as fuel and medicine, as well as record high rates of poverty and inflation.