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Lebanon’s newly-named prime minister vowed on Thursday to form a government quickly that works to pull the country out of economic crisis and reassures people who have protested against the political class for two months.
An unprecedented wave of protests forced closure of banks in the country. On Thursday banking sources told media that country's banks will seek to prevent capital flight when they open on Friday but without imposing formal capital controls after a two-week closure due to nationwide protests which led the prime minister to resign.
Sparked on October 17 by a proposed tax on calls made through messaging apps, the protests have morphed into a cross-sectarian street mobilisation against a political system seen as corrupt and broken.
A source familiar with the position of the Shi'ite groups Hizbollah and Amal said they would also nominate Khatib for the post, which must go to a Sunni Muslim according to Lebanon's sectarian system of government.
Hariri quit on Oct. 29, prompted by protests against the corruption of Lebanon's ruling elite. The protests have continued since then and Lebanon is in dire need of a new government to start tackling an economic crisis.
After protesters marched in Beirut, Tripoli and other cities, Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese forces party, said his group was resigning from the government.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the successor to Saad Hariri who quit as prime minister in late October, vowed to meet demands from the street — but demonstrators were unconvinced.
The new cabinet of 24 ministers headed by Najib Mikati, a billionaire businessman, was announced by the president’s office and later by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Mahmoud Makkieh.
Lebanese businessman and former prime minister Najib Mikati secured enough votes in parliamentary consultations on Monday to be designated the head of government again after the support of major parties.
Hariri offered his apology for forming the Lebanese government on Wednesday with 24 ministers. On Thursday, Hariri stressed that he had not reached an agreement with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and therefore stepped down.