Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Saad Hariri seeks national unity government

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri speaks to journalists at the presidential palace near Beirut, Lebanon, November 3, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

The Lebanese prime minister-designate has announced plans to set up a national unity government quickly as a 29-month political stalemate in the Middle Eastern country comes to an end.

Saad Hariri made the remarks after being summoned by Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun to Baabda Palace in Beirut on Thursday and asked to form a new cabinet.

“I look forward to starting the consultations to form a national accord government that overcomes political divisions and is based on a consensus of all the political factions on the inaugural speech with all of its provisions,” Hariri said.

He also pledged to be open to all parliamentary blocs and expressed hope that the new administration will be able to address the socio-economic, security, political and environmental issues in the country.

Hariri further noted that one of the main tasks of his future unity government would be to agree on a “just” electoral law and hold parliamentary elections on time.

Hariri, a Western-backed Sunni politician, already served as the Lebanese premier for 14 months until early 2011.

Earlier on Thursday, Hariri garnered support from 112 out of 126 lawmakers to become the prime minister.

Lebanon’s parliament elected Aoun, a Christian leader and strong ally of the resistance movement of Hezbollah, as president on Monday, ending a vacuum in the post that has been dragging on since April 2014.

Newly elected Lebanese President Michel Aoun sits on the president's chair inside the presidential palace near Beirut, Lebanon, October 31, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

Lebanon is expected to hold parliamentary elections in May 2017, the first legislative vote in the country in eight years.

Also on Thursday, Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc urged the prompt formation of a “national unity” government following Harir’s nomination for the premiership and the establishment of a modern electoral law.

MP Hasan Fadlallah urged the new cabinet to address the country’s financial woes and called on all political parties to “cooperate responsibly to build a strong and balanced state.”

He also hailed the role of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in preserving national unity and “maintaining positive communication among the Lebanese” during the turbulent period of the presidential vacuum.