Form a new government or risk collapse, France tells Lebanon officials
France’s foreign ministry on Tuesday warned Lebanon’s political forces that the country risked collapse if they did not form a government without delay.
“At this decisive moment in Lebanese history, Lebanese political forces are faced with a choice between recovery and collapse of the country. It is a heavy responsibility towards the Lebanese,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll told reporters in a daily briefing.
For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
France is pressing Lebanese politicians to form a new government in a “reasonable timeframe” to lift the nation out of a deep crisis but has not fixed a new deadline after the last one in mid-September was missed, two French diplomatic sources said.
Lebanon’s Christian president, Michel Aoun, told fractious political leaders on Monday the country was heading “to hell” if a new cabinet was not formed swiftly to dig the nation out of its worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
“France regrets that Lebanese officials have not yet managed to keep the commitments made on September 1,” Von der Muhll said. “We call on them to reach an agreement without delay on the formation by (Prime Minister) Moustapha Adib of a government of mission, which will then have to implement the necessary reforms.”
Read more: US supports France initiative for Lebanon, disagrees on Hezbollah: Official
Lebanon's Geagea says Hezbollah demands strike core of French efforts
-
Explosion in Lebanon at Hezbollah arms depot: Report
An arms cache belonging to Iranian proxy group Hezbollah blew up in Lebanon on Tuesday because of a technical error, a security source said, according ... Middle East -
Shia security dominance in Lebanon approaches end
While the 1975 war ended the rule of political Maronism, which contributed to the birth of the first Republic, the assassination of former Prime ... In Translation -
Lebanon's PM-designate Adib urges competing parties to form cabinet
Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Mustapha Adib on Monday urged competing political forces to step up and help him form a desperately needed ... Middle East