Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri steps down
Former premier addresses press conference after meeting President Michel Aoun
Saad Hariri, who was charged with forming the government in October meets with President of Lebanon Michel Aoun to present his cabinet list consisting of 24 technocrats, at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on July 14, 2021. ( Lebanese Presidency - Anadolu Agency )
BEIRUT, Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri stepped down on Thursday after failing to form the government for months.
In a press conference after meeting President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in capital Beirut, he said: "President Aoun's position has not changed, and the amendments he requested are essential ... he told me that it is difficult to reach a consensus, so I stepped down ... may Allah help the country."
On Wednesday, Hariri presented a new Cabinet lineup of 24 ministers, hours after he returned from Cairo where he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.
Both the leaders have accused each other of creating obstacles in forming a new government.
Lebanon has been unable to come up with a new administration since the resignation of Hassan Diab's Cabinet on Aug. 10, 2020, six days after the massive blast that hit Port of Beirut.
The Arab country is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all its value against the US dollar. Streets across the country are witnessing massive protests and rallies.
*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara
