The Lebanese president has postponed the consultations for a week, from December 9 to 16. A decision resulting from the withdrawal of the candidacy of Samir Khatib. The Sunni front aims again at the outgoing premier. Patriarch Raï to political leaders: do not try to oppose the "popular uprising".
Beirut (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Lebanese president has postponed parliamentary consultations for a week, a fundamental and binding step for the appointment of a new Prime Minister after Saad Hariri's resignation following the wave of anti-government protests.
The discussion, scheduled to start today, will be held instead on December 16th; following the change of course among the Sunnis, which led to the withdrawal of the candidacy of businessman Samir Khatib and to the revival of the outgoing Prime Minister.
The Lebanese political and institutional system provides that the role of president is occupied by a Christian (Maronite), that of Parliament Speaker by a Shiite, while the premier is reserved for a Sunni. Over the weekend, a broad consensus has been created around Hariri, who is back in the game as the most authoritative candidate for the job.
"In light of the developments - reads a note - on the desire and request of the majority of parliamentary blocs, and to encourage greater consultations and contacts, the president [Michel] Aoun has decided to postpone" the consultations. Earlier, the head of state had spoken with House Speaker Nabih Berri and interim Prime Minister Hariri, after withdrawing his candidacy a few hours before Khatib.
In recent days, the main camps, including Hariri's al-Mustaqbal movement, had reached consensus on the name of Khatib. Then, on the weekend, the sudden change of course.
On the situation of political and economic crisis, which also led to several cases of suicide among the population, the Maronite patriarch, Cardinal Béchara Raï, also returned, asking political leaders not to oppose the "popular revolt" which has now reached the 53rd day.
"The people's revolution - the cardinal said - is like torrential rain. Do not try to oppose it, for your good and for the good of Lebanon ”.
The Greek-Orthodox metropolitan of Beirut Élias Audi also intervened on the situation, according to which the political leaders have "fear of the voice of all those who love Lebanon", the voice "of law and truth". The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Youhanna X Yazigi hopes for the formation of a new government "that responds to the requests of the people".