Lebanon: Diab Rejects Aoun’s Call For Cabinet Session, Prioritizes Govt Formation

Prime Minister Hassan Diab meets with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon Janaury 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Prime Minister Hassan Diab meets with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon Janaury 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanon: Diab Rejects Aoun’s Call For Cabinet Session, Prioritizes Govt Formation

Prime Minister Hassan Diab meets with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon Janaury 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Prime Minister Hassan Diab meets with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon Janaury 21, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

A silent crisis has emerged between Lebanon's President Michel Aoun and caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, due to the latter’s refusal to respond to the president’s insistence on the holding of a cabinet session.

Ministerial sources well-informed of the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that Diab - who moved immediately to his home in Talat al-Khayyat in Beirut following his resignation – attends his office in the Grand Serail only periodically and insists not to convene the Council of Ministers, but presides over ministerial committee meetings to manage the country’s affairs “within very narrow limits.”

The sources added that Diab has been taking lately unprecedented security measures as he moves from his home to the Serail, saying that his refusal to meet Aoun’s demand was based on several considerations, including the “unfounded allegations against him in the port explosion case”.

Moreover, the caretaker prime minister sees that he was forced to resign after Aoun dismissed the government in response to the wishes of his political heir, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil.

According to the sources, Diab wants the new government to be formed immediately and fears the negative repercussions of hindering its birth, amid rumors that his caretaking role would last until the end of Aoun’s tenure.

Thus, his compliance with Aoun’s desire to hold a cabinet session will push him into a political clash with the Sunni street, which will see his consent as an agreement with the president to obstruct the formation of the new government.

Also, the sources noted that Diab would not provide the political cover for the adoption by the Cabinet of an inflated budget that is intended to divert attention from the high deficit in return for the decrease in imports due to the lack of a reform plan.



Türkiye, Jordan Coordinate Syria’s Transition and Refugee Return

Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Türkiye, Jordan Coordinate Syria’s Transition and Refugee Return

Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Fidan and Safadi during the press conference in Ankara (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Türkiye and Jordan have agreed on the importance of ensuring Syria’s unity and sovereignty while supporting its new administration in achieving stability and rebuilding a future inclusive of all Syrians without discrimination.

High-level discussions in Ankara on Monday, involving foreign and defense ministers as well as intelligence chiefs from both countries, underscored joint efforts toward Syria’s reconstruction, the return of refugees, and improving daily life for citizens.

The talks came amid intensified Turkish military actions against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak Bridge in eastern Aleppo. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, emphasized cooperation on counterterrorism, developments in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and the broader region.

Fidan noted that Türkiye and Jordan have been aligned since the onset of the Syrian conflict, and both countries remain focused on stabilizing Syria. He revealed plans to draft a roadmap for supporting the Syrian people in coordination with Syrian stakeholders. Future meetings involving Türkiye, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon are also planned to discuss regional stability. He further reaffirmed solidarity with Jordan in efforts to stop the aggression in Gaza.

Safadi, for his part, stressed that Syria’s stability is vital to regional security, highlighting the shared commitment of Jordan and Türkiye to supporting Syrians in rebuilding their nation on inclusive foundations. He noted discussions on enhancing essential services, including electricity access, for Syrians and emphasized Amman’s intention to intensify cooperation with Ankara and Baghdad to create solutions benefiting the entire region.

Both ministers condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Syrian territory, describing them as clear violations of international law and Syria’s sovereignty. They also reiterated the unified stance of Arab states in supporting Syria’s stability and reconstruction.

Fidan declared that eliminating the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) is only a matter of time, rejecting policies that enable the YPG’s continued presence in Syria. He affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to combating ISIS both domestically and abroad.

Safadi, who later met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed Jordan’s full support for Türkiye in its fight against terrorism and threats to its security. He underlined the importance of a dignified and stable life for Kurds within Syria’s diverse society, rejecting the resurgence of terrorism and warning against renewed internal conflict in Syria.