LONDON (Reuters) – Lebanon will definitely form a new government despite the obstacles, its caretaker foreign minister said on Wednesday, after President Michel Aoun intervened in the stalled process and warned of a “catastrophe” if his efforts failed. Heavily indebted and with a stagnant economy, Lebanon desperately needs a new government to implement economic reforms that are required to put its public finances on a more sustainable footing and unlock pledges of foreign aid. Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri, also attending the conference, told reporters, said he was “always optimistic” when asked about the prospects of forming a new government following seven months of political wrangling. Berri believed there was now a serious effort to form a government and his optimism stemmed from Aoun’s intervention in the process, the lawmeker, Ali Bazzi, said. Hariri said on Twitter that the new government would be firmly committed to reforms agreed at a donor conference this year, including fiscal reforms.

Source: Egypt Independent December 12, 2018 12:53 UTC