On Monday 19 December, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini congratulated Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri on forming a new government.
The previous day, Hariri succeeded in forming a new 30-member government, which includes one woman, from several political parties. As part of this, he created a new post – that of secretary of state for refugees.
The announcement of the formation of this new government "is another key moment towards the full functioning of state institutions in Lebanon", Mogherini said. In her opinion, this reflects "the responsibility and openness for compromise shared by all parties and which are hallmarks of Lebanon's democratic tradition".
Mogherini also said that "the Lebanese people and the international community have high expectations for the new government whose success will be determined by its capacity to address the major challenges it faces particularly by adopting the necessary institutional, economic and social measures". She added that "the next big step in this crucial transition phase for the country will be the holding of parliamentary elections" in 2017. The new government will have the task of ensuring a smooth and transparent process that strengthens further the democratic legitimacy of the country's institutions, Mogherini stated.
The EU will continue to work closely with Lebanon, she added, saying that the priorities and partnership compact adopted between the EU and Lebanon in mid-November would establish a new framework for cooperation for the next four years (see EUROPE 1168). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)