United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken considers that Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's resignation after nine months of being in charge of forming a government constitutes "yet another disappointing development for the Lebanese people," who are mired in a stifling political and economic crisis.

Blinken issued a press statement on Thursday saying that "It is critical that a government committed and able to implement priority reforms be formed now.  The government must also start preparing for the 2022 parliamentary elections, which should be held on-time and conducted in a free and fair manner."

"Lebanon’s political class has squandered the last nine months. The Lebanese economy is in free-fall, and the current government is not providing basic services in a reliable fashion," Blinken added.

He also stated that it is necessary for the leaders in Beirut to "urgently put aside partisan differences and form a government that serves the Lebanese people. That is what the people of Lebanon desperately need."

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced his resignation on Thursday, handing his resignation letter to President Michel Aoun.

After he met with President Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, he said: "I resigned from forming the government," before adding, "May God help our country."

Political sources said to Al Mayadeen that Lebanon just entered a new phase of imbalance, as constitutional institutions are being disrupted and matters are being left to erode and deteriorate before a decision is made to invest in the crisis and manage it.