France ups pressure on Lebanese officials to form a government

 France is exerting pressure on Lebanese officials to form a new government as the Arab nation faces increasing political and economic crises. On Monday, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian held telephonic conversations with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, acting Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, urging them to immediately halt the “deliberate obstruction” in the formation of the government. He called out the officials for seven months of political deadlock that has resulted in an unprecedented economic crisis in the country. 

“The deliberate obstruction of any prospect of an exit from the crisis by demands that are unreasonable and out-of-date must immediately halt. The time has come to strengthen pressure to end the blockage," Jean-Yves Le Drian said as per a statement issued by the French Foreign Minister's Office. 

France has also warned Lebanese officials that the European Union is exploring ways to "strengthen the pressure on those responsible for the blockage". Reportedly, Le Drian is also urging his European Union counterparts to join the push for the formation of a new government in Lebanon. 

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron called on the Lebanese officials to change their approach and methodology in order to establish a new government such that international aid can reach the country. 

This development has come days after a meeting between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri. After the crucial meeting, Aoun and Hariri yet again failed to reach an agreement on the formation of a new cabinet. 

Other countries are also seeking to increase pressure on Lebanon’s politicians to form a government in the coming months. Recently, Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari urged the Lebanese politicians to set aside their differences and accelerate the process of forming a new government, as per a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

As Lebanese politicians struggle to agree on the size and structure of a new cabinet, the country is grappling with the worst economic crisis amid the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the United Nations, more than half of the population in the country is living in poverty as the Lebanese pound's value continues to spiral. 

Last week, scores of protesters from various cities marched through the streets of Beirut, demanding the formation of an interim government until parliamentary elections in the country. Lebanon's government led by former PM Hassan Diab resigned in August 2020 in the aftermath of the catastrophic blast at Beirut's port that killed more than 200 people and caused massive destruction.