Mustapha Adib, Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, is poised to be named prime minister on Monday after winning the support of the main parties to form a new government facing a severe financial crisis and the trauma of the Beirut port explosion.
Mr. Adib will be appointed ahead of a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been a key figure in international efforts to urge Lebanese politicians to resolve the worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.
The previous government, led by Hassan Diab, resigned over the port bombing on August 10th. The Big Bang was caused by large quantities of chemicals stored in unsafe quantities.
The prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim from Lebanon’s sectarian system. On Sunday, Mr. Adib’s candidacy won important political support from former prime ministers, including Former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Hariri is the leader of the largest Sunni political party, the Future Movement.
President Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian, will hold formal consultations with a parliamentary bloc on Monday to name a new prime minister. He must nominate the most popular member of parliament.
A senior Shi ‘ite source said Lebanon’s dominant Shi ‘ite party, Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, led by Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, would nominate Adib in negotiations.
Adib, who has a doctorate in law and political science, previously served as an adviser to former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He has been ambassador to Germany since 2013.
Once the prime minister is chosen, the process of forming a new government will begin. Mr. Diaby’s government will remain as a caretaker until a new government is agreed.
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