Lebanese politicians have called for the resignation of the government as the country’s financial collapse deepens, with some pushing for former prime minister Saad Hariri to make a comeback.
“A government change is possible at any moment and in any circumstance,” Minister of the Displaced Ghada Shreim said in an interview on the Voice of Lebanon radio station on Saturday. “What is important is to find solutions to save the country.”
Government members have questioned the “benefit of continuing in light of the lack of achievements”, Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar said in a separate interview with the station.
Both ministers were appointed with the support of President Michel Aoun’s political party, the Free Patriotic Movement.
Mr Ghajar said cabinet members, including Prime Minister Hassan Diab, were not against a change of government if it “improves the country’s situation”, complaining that it must “carry the burden of dozens of years of policies that brought the country to the brink of the abyss”.
The current government was formed in late January, three months after the resignation of former prime minister Saad Hariri amid nationwide protests triggered by the country’s worst economic crisis.
Anti-government protesters carry Lebanese flags and burn tires as they block the main highway in north of Beirut during a protest over deteriorating living conditions. EPA
Lebanon has been seeing months of protests against the current government fuelled by the dire state of the domestic economy. EPA
Many citizens fear that the combination of rising unemployment, poverty, sectarian tensions, the devaluation of the Lebanese pound and the ongoing pandemic disease may spark another violent conflict. EPA
Lebanese army soldiers intervene as anti-government protesters attempt to block the main highway but with crashing currencies salaries have lost most of their value with soldiers reportedly earning the equivalent of as little as $110 a month. EPA
Anti-Government protestors burn tires as they block the main highway during a protest over deteriorating living conditions after the government raised subsidized bread prices. EPA
Anti-Government protestors set garbage bins on fire and block the majority of the main roads during a protest over deteriorating living conditions. EPA
Anti-Government protestors set garbage bins on fire and block the majority of the main roads. EPA
Anti-Government protestors set garbage bins on fire and block the majority of the main roads. EPA
