Lebanon new government
Lebanon has been experiencing a political crisis since October 2019, with the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the formation of a caretaker government. In February 2020, the Lebanese parliament elected Najib Mikati as the new Prime Minister, and he formed a new government on January 21, 2022.
Here is an overview of the new government:
Prime Minister: Najib Mikati
- Mikati is a businessman and politician who has served as Prime Minister twice before, from 2005 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2014.
- He is a member of the Mikati family, which has a long history of involvement in Lebanese politics.
Cabinet:
- The new government consists of 24 ministers, including 13 from the Mikati-led coalition and 11 from the opposition.
- The cabinet includes representatives from various political parties, including the Future Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, and the Amal Movement.
- The government also includes several independent ministers and technocrats.
Key Ministers:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Abdallah Bou Habib (Future Movement)
- Minister of Finance: Youssef Khalil (independent)
- Minister of Interior and Municipalities: Bassam Mawlawi (Lebanese Forces)
- Minister of Defense: Maurice Suleiman (Free Patriotic Movement)
- Minister of Justice: Gaby Bou Jawdeh (independent)
- Minister of Education: Abbas Halabi (Future Movement)
- Minister of Health: Fadi El-Hassan (independent)
Challenges:
- The new government faces significant challenges, including:
- Addressing the country's severe economic crisis, which has led to a sharp decline in the value of the Lebanese pound and high levels of unemployment and poverty.
- Implementing reforms to address corruption and improve governance.
- Resolving the issue of Syrian refugees, who have been living in Lebanon for several years.
- Addressing the country's energy crisis, which has led to frequent power outages.
International Reaction:
- The international community has welcomed the formation of the new government, with many countries expressing hope that it will help to address Lebanon's economic and political challenges.
- The United States has called on the government to implement reforms and address corruption, while the European Union has expressed support for the government's efforts to address the economic crisis.
Overall, the new government in Lebanon faces significant challenges, but it also presents an opportunity for the country to move forward and address its many problems.