UN calls for forming Lebanese gov't with full powers

By Mohammad Tarek

ANKARA (AA) – The United Nations has called for forming a Lebanese government with full powers to recover the Arab country from its deteriorating situation.

Speaking during a UN Security Council consultation meeting on Thursday, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka highlighted "the multiple social, economic, financial and political difficulties which the country faces on a daily basis and their impact on the population," Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told a press conference late Friday.

“The Special Coordinator renewed the calls of the United Nations to form a government endowed with full powers capable of putting the country on the road to recovery”, Haq said.

According to the spokesman, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix "will pay a visit to the Middle East from July 25 to 30", including a visit to Lebanon, where he will discuss the operation of the UN multinational force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) to maintain peace on the border area with the occupied Palestinian territories.

Lebanon has been unable to come up with a new administration since the resignation of Hassan Diab's government on Aug. 10, 2020, six days after the massive blast that hit Port of Beirut.

The Arab country is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all its value against the US dollar. Streets across the country are witnessing massive protests and rallies.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara