French President Emmanuel Macron wished on Friday success for Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the ministers appointed in the newly formed Lebanese government.
In a statement from the Elysee Palace, Macron reaffirmed his commitment to the sovereignty, stability and security of Lebanon, stressing the importance of the dissociation policy and the fight against terrorism.
For her part, European Union Ambassador Christina Lassen congratulated Hariri for forming a new government.
In a tweet, Lassen asserted that the EU will support the reforms agenda of the new Cabinet.
She concluded by praising the appointment of 4 women as ministers in the government, saying that such a step is "a first" in Lebanon.
In turn, Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani cabled President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri to congratulate them on the formation of the new Cabinet.
The emir wished them and the Cabinet success, and “more progress and prosperity for the Lebanese people.”
Yesterday, Lebanon formed a new national unity government, ending nine months of wrangling, and Prime Minister Saad Hariri said bold moves were needed without delay to address chronic problems facing the heavily indebted state.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bahram Qassemi welcomed the new government.
“The current success is not limited to the formation of the government, but this step is indicative of the will of the people and their leaders to shape their future within the framework of independence with unity, accord and solidarity, free of any dictates and external pressure," he stressed.
Qassemi asserted that Iran will continue to support Lebanon’s security and stability.
Lebanon formed
a new national unity government on Thursday, ending nine months of wrangling, and Prime Minister Saad Hariri said bold moves were needed without delay to address chronic problems facing the heavily indebted state.
The government of Hariri, who has Western backing, includes most parties including the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, which emerged stronger from the parliamentary election last May thanks to gains by its allies. Hezbollah chose the new health minister.
Some Lebanese bond prices jumped to their highest level since August in response to the news, and celebratory fireworks burst over Beirut shortly after the deal was announced.
Hariri must now deliver on promises to rein in public spending to address the dire state finances with reforms that could unlock billions of dollars in pledged aid and loans for infrastructure investment.
In a statement read from the presidential palace, Hariri apologized to the people of Lebanon for the time it had taken to form the government and noted that they were "living in concern" over the economy.
The time for "painkillers" was over, he said. "No one can put their head in the sand any more ... All the problems are known and the causes of the corruption and waste and administrative deficiency are also known," he said.
"The solution is with a clear program and bold reforms ... and developing laws that cannot be delayed."
LBCI/REUTERS