The EU welcomed, on Sunday 12 September, the announcement that Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati had signed a decree on 10 September to form a government in Lebanon, after 13 months of political negotiations.
This government has 24 ministers, 12 Christians and 12 Muslims. The Maronite Abdallah Bou Habib inherits the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“It is a matter of urgency to implement the measures and reforms needed to address the multiple crises affecting Lebanon, including an agreement with the International Monetary Fund”, the European External Action Service spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the new government should now focus on this with the active support of parliament and other state institutions.
For the spokesperson, all parties involved should show the same resolve and ability to compromise, to adopt without delay the measures needed to ensure that the immediate needs and further legitimate expectations of the Lebanese people are met.
Welcoming Mr Mikati’s statement that the 2022 municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections are expected to take place on schedule, the EEAS spokesperson said that preparations for these elections should begin in earnest and ensure that they are free, fair and transparent. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)