Lebanon PM-Designate Mikati Starts Parliamentary Consultations

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Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati began discussions with the parliamentary blocs on Tuesday, ahead of his arbitrations with various political parties.

After nearly a year of failing to form a government, President Michel Aoun appointed Mikati as Prime Minister on Monday, a mission described by Aoun as ‘difficult’.

Following his designation, Mikati called for cooperation and avoiding altercations, claiming, "I would not have accepted the designation if I had not acquired foreign guarantees. Mikati received a parliamentary majority of 72 votes following the binding parliamentary consultations President Aoun conducted.

"I intend to form a government based on the French initiative, and I took it upon myself not to speak since deeds speak louder than words," Mikati states during his address at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

Mikati also stated that the formation of a techno-political administration is impossible. He stated, "we must opt for a technocratic government immediately, for we are months away from the parliamentary elections." 

The PM-designate stated that the government should be technocratic in order to draft the regulatory legislation and decrees required to carry out the French initiative announced in Paris last year.   

France, which, together with the European Union, threatened Lebanese authorities responsible for the delay with sanctions, reaffirmed its appeal for the formation of an "efficient" administration capable of implementing reforms as soon as possible. 

As a first step in resolving Lebanon's economic crisis, which the IMF classified as one of the worst in the second half of the twentieth century, the next government must negotiate an agreement with the International Monetary fund.