This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
Lebanon has been rocked by street protests since mid-October, with protesters demanding an overhaul of the country's entire political system. The protests have forced Prime Minister Saad Hariri to announce his cabinet's resignation on October 29.
As the country's political leaders remain bitterly divided, the United Nations has urged the process of forming a new cabinet to be accelerated. This comes after supporters of Lebanon's two main Shiite parties attacked protesters, sparking concerns of a dangerous escalation.
Hariri has stated that he felt compelled to make his position known in response to the 'irresponsible practises' of the political leadership. He expressed hope that his move would 'open doors to a solution' and swiftly lead to a presidential 'call for binding parliamentary consultations to appoint a new premier.'
However, President Michel Aoun has yet to schedule such talks, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), a Christian party founded by Aoun, has accused Hariri of delaying the process by refusing to accept any other candidate for the premiership. Hariri has denied these allegations.
The task of forming a government is complicated further by protesters' demands for a government of technocrats. Aoun has suggested that he would support the formation of a government including technocrats and representatives of the popular movement, but also political leaders.
Analysts say that protesters' demands for a government composed entirely of independent experts are a tall order. 'Hezbollah will veto any cabinet that does not include members of the party,' said Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut.
Supporters of established parties have rallied in recent days to counter the massive anti-government demonstrations. The situation has led to medical shortages, with Lebanon's health minister urging the central bank to release dollars for the import of medical equipment.
Importers have warned that the country's stocks will only last weeks, as dialysis filters, heart valves, and supplies for respirators have already started to run low. The Syndicate of Restaurant Owners in Lebanon has also reported that 260 institutions have closed over the past two months due to weakened purchasing power.
