President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab are not likely to respond to recent calls for the formation of a unity government, parliamentary sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
In remarks earlier this week, Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli underlined the need for a national unity government that would constitute “a safety net for Lebanon” and help stop the financial and economic collapse, especially amid the ongoing negotiations between the current cabinet and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to the sources, Ferzli’s call was aimed at ringing the alarm over the current government’s inability to assume a rescue role.
They noted that the only obstacle that would prevent the establishment of a new political stage and the creation of the appropriate conditions for the birth of a government of national unity was “the insistence of the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gibran Bassil that this government provides him with what he needs to serve his presidential ambitions.”
The same sources noted that Ferzli’s call lacked a plan and work program that would address the post-government resignation phase.
They added, however, that the deputy speaker, who disagrees with Bassil, has a good relationship with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The latter is responsive to the need to change the government, but awaits the adequate atmosphere that is currently unavailable.
Therefore, Diab’s government is unlikely to be dissolved soon despite the lack of concordance among its ministers. The sources said that the government has been blaming its failure to address the economic crisis on the ongoing efforts to face the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Nonetheless, it did not give any attention to the resumption of the street protests but moves on with its scheduled plans, including the issuance of a package of financial and backing appointments during the upcoming cabinet session on Thursday.