News / Lebanon

Delay in Lebanon government formation risks sliding towards tension, Hezbollah warns

Thursday, 09 August 2018 3:35 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 09 August 2018 5:29 PM ]

Supporters of Hezbollah resistance movement tour the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on May 6, 2018, as the country votes in its first parliamentary elections in nine years. (Photo by AFP)

The parliamentary bloc of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has warned about delay in forming a new government, stressing any further deferral risks the Arab country sliding “towards tension.”

“[The delay] has started to risk sliding towards tension ... and we warn of the dangers of this,” the group said in a televised statement read out after the weekly meeting of its parliamentary bloc on Thursday.

Lebanon's first parliamentary vote in nine years was held on May 6, with over 500 candidates vying for seats. Turnout was 49.2 percent, according to officials.

According to official results, Hezbollah and its political allies secured over half the seats.

Hezbollah as well as groups and individuals affiliated to it won at least 67 seats in Lebanon’s parliament, according to the results cited by politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media.

Hezbollah's allies include the Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement founded by President Michel Aoun.

The parliamentary seats are split evenly -- 64 for Christians and 64 for Muslims, including Druze, with the two halves further divided among 11 religious groups.

On Tuesday, Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri called on political parties to “show modesty” in their demands regarding the new government, emphasizing that he is not responsible for the serious delay.

“They are blaming me for the delay whereas each party is clinging to its stances and demands,” Hariri told reporters ahead of a meeting for the al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc.

“Everyone must display modesty and sacrifice for the sake of the country,” Hariri pointed out.

Political rivalry led to years of governmental paralysis in Lebanon, and the country did not produce a state budget from 2005 until last year.

The International Monetary Fund has said that Lebanon must urgently address its fiscal policy in order to sustain its high levels of public debt.

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