Lebanon political crisis could be ‘opportunity’: FM

Wasim Seifeddine

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Tuesday lamented the "crisis" caused by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's abrupt resignation, but said the situation could still be turned into “an opportunity”.

Bassil made the remarks in a press statement issued following a meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan.

"What we have seen over the past two days [i.e., since Hariri’s resignation] is Lebanese popular opinion; everyone feels that we are in crisis," Bassil said.

He added, however, that “this crisis can be turned into a real opportunity for the Lebanese people to stand together shoulder to shoulder”.

“We will not allow any divisions between us,” he asserted. “Most Lebanese people want stability, peace, prosperity and national unity.”

On Saturday, in a televised address delivered from Saudi Arabia, Hariri abruptly announced his resignation from the premiership.

In his address, Hariri criticized Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, accusing Tehran of sowing “sedition” and meddling in Arab affairs.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, meanwhile, has said there was “no reason” for Hariri to step down, accusing Saudi Arabia of forcing him to resign.

Hariri was appointed prime minister late last year. Before Saturday’s resignation, he had led a 30-member government that included Hezbollah representatives.

Saudi Arabia, which has long served as Hariri’s principle backer, is Iran’s arch-foe in the region. While Riyadh supports Syria’s armed opposition, Iran and Hezbollah both support Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime.