New Lebanese Govt To Be Formed As Soon As Possible: PM-Designate

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib said Monday that he hopes to form the new government as soon as possible which he expects to quickly implement necessary reforms.

“There is no time for talk and promises, but now is the time to work and we will succeed in selecting a homogeneous team of specialists,” Adib said in his first televised address as prime minister-designate.

Adib was a relatively unknown 48-year-old Lebanese diplomat and close aide to former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

He emerged as a candidate to head the next Lebanese government Sunday night, after a group of former ex-PMs that includes Saad Hariri, Tammam Salam, Fouad Siniora and Mikati, announced their choice.

Adib is tasked with forming a new government to replace the 8-month-old Cabinet of caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who resigned on August 10 in the wake of the deadly Beirut Port blast and popular pressure.